Hydrogel prodrug for treatment

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the invention described herein include a hydrogel prodrug and methods of making a hydrogel prodrug for drug delivery. Also contemplated are methods of treating, inhibiting, ameliorating or inhibiting a disease or disorder. Without being limiting, the methods for treatment can be directed to a cancer, HIV, a virus, pain, a bacterial infection, a neurological disorder, hemorrhaging, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer&#39;s, or inhibiting a fungal growth in a subject in need.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/571,623, filed on Sep. 16, 2019, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/063,641(now U.S. Pat. No. 10,413,616), filed on Jun. 18, 2018, which is a U.S.National Phase Application of PCT International ApplicationPCT/US2016/067864, filed Dec. 20, 2016, designating the United States ofAmerica and published in the English language, which is an InternationalApplication of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/387,506, filed on Dec. 23, 2015. Thedisclosures of the above-referenced applications are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are directed to systems andcompositions that have biologically active molecules incorporated in thebackbone structure of a hydrogel prodrug. The hydrogel prodrug can havebiologically active molecules including drugs, small molecules and/orpeptides incorporated in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrugand these hydrogel prodrug formulations can be provided to subjects inneed of a therapeutic or cosmetic.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many groups are investigating the use of polymers for the controlleddelivery of a variety of therapeutics. Polymers play an integral role indrug delivery and are desirable for controlled release therapeutics,tailored drug release kinetics, increasing the half-life of a drug in abiological system and systems that facilitate the placement andlocalization of a drug within close proximity of a desired tissue.Controlled drug release is desirable because it can eliminate thepotential for both under- and over-dosing. Controlled drug delivery alsoallows one to more easily maintain consistent drug levels at the desiredtissue site, permits less frequent and fewer overall administrations ofthe drug, and improves patient compliance. Polymer drug delivery systemsgenerally have some disadvantages, including toxicity ornon-biocompatibility of the materials used, undesirable degradationby-products, discomfort from implantable polymer drug delivery systems,initial burst release, synthesis and processing conditions thatcompromise the integrity of the drug or the biocompatibility of thematerials, a disconnect between the degradation time of the polymer andthe release period of the drug, and the high cost of controlled polymerdrug release systems in comparison to standard pharmaceuticalcompositions.

Controlled delivery of a drug from a polymer occurs when thebiologically active ingredient is released from the polymer in apredesigned manner. The release may be periodic over time, it may beconstant, or it may be triggered by external events. The drug releasekinetics are generally dependent upon the properties of the polymer aswell as the drug. Drug may be liberated from the polymer carrier througha variety of methods, including diffusion of drug out the polymermatrix, erosion of the polymer matrix, chemical degradation of thepolymer matrix, chemical degradation of a linker between the drug andthe polymer matrix, or reduction of an attractive force between the drugand the polymer matrix. Controlled delivery can be preferred, ornecessary, when frequent, repeated administration of traditional dosageforms is not feasible or desirable. In many cases, controlled releasekinetics provide a therapeutic benefit. The delivery can be tailored sothat water-soluble drugs are slowly released and low-solubility drugsare released quickly. The drug delivery can be specific for a targetsite, or the hydrogel prodrug systems can be designed to be quicklydissolved or degraded for fast elimination. Ideally, the polymer drugsystem should have an inert backbone, biocompatibility,biodegradability, and the capability of containing a high drug loadwithout the dangers of accidental release. Furthermore, the polymer drugsystem should be simple to administer and easy to manufacture.

The goal for a polymer controlled drug delivery system is to achieve adelivery profile yielding a constant level of drug in a system or in atarget tissue, or periodic drug release in a system or in a targettissue over a determined amount of time, or externally triggered drugrelease in a system or in a target tissue. In traditional drug dosing,such as oral administration of tablets or injected formulations, thelevels of drug initially rise then subsequently fall until a secondadministration. The metabolism of a patient or the environment in whichthe drug is placed can lead to an undesired fast degradation, clearance,or waste of the drug before a second administration of drug can occur,and can lead to over- or under-dosing. As such, a polymer system, whichachieves a constant level of drug over a given period of time, isgreatly needed.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, a method of making a hydrogel prodrug is provided.The method can include the following: providing at least one drug thatcomprises at least one amine group, providing at least one acrylate,reacting said at least one acrylate with the at least one amine group ofthe at least one drug, thereby producing at least one polymer prodrug,wherein, the reacting comprises a polymerization reaction andcross-linking said at least one polymer prodrug in the presence of afree radical initiator in a reaction mixture, thereby making thehydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a backbonestructure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises polymerized polymerprodrug. In some alternatives, the at least one amine group is a freeprimary amine group. In some alternatives, the at least one amine groupis drug comprises at least a two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, wherein the at least one amine group comprises at leasttwo secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the method comprisesreacting the at least one acrylate with the at least two secondary aminegroups of the at least one drug In some alternatives, at least oneprimary amine and/or at least one secondary amine are provided. In somealternatives, the at least one acrylate can have at least one acrylategroup. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate group is bound byan ester linkage to an opposing termini of a carbon chain. In somealternatives, the carbon chain comprises at least or equal to 1, 10, 20,30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 carbon atoms, or any number of carbonatoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. Insome alternatives, the carbon chain comprises substituted heteroatoms,unsubstituted heteroatoms, unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, saturatedcarbon-carbon bonds, branched substitutions, unbranched substitutionsand/or cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the cyclic carbonchains comprise saturated bonds, unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms.In some alternatives, the acrylate comprises two acrylate groups and isa diacrylate. In some alternatives, the diacrylate is poly(ethyleneglycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate(PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). Insome alternatives, the at least one acrylate and the at least one freeprimary amine or at least two secondary amines of the at least one drugare at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1acrylate to drug or any other ratio within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprisesa molecular weight of at least or equal to 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000,2000, 3500, 5000, 10000 g/mol, or any other molecular weight within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the reacting step is performed at a temperature of atleast or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50°C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95°C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C., 115° C. or 120° C. or any temperaturewithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the reacting is performed at a temperature of 20° C., 25°C., 30° C. or 35° C. or any temperature within a range defined by anytwo of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, thecross-linking is performed in the presence of a catalyst. In somealternatives, the catalyst is TEMED. In some alternatives, the TEMED isat a 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of TEMED to reactionmixture or any w/w percent within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the free radical initiatoris ammonium persulfate. In some alternatives, the concentration ofammonium persulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%,9% or 10% w/w of ammonium sulfate to reaction mixture or anyconcentration within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the cross-linking is performed in thepresence of a UV radiation source. In some alternatives, the freeradical initiator is a light-activated free radical initiator. In somealternatives, the light-activated free radical initiator is DMPA. Insome alternatives, the DMPA is at a concentration that is at 0.2%, 0.4%,0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v of DMPA in the reaction mixture or anyconcentration within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the cross-linking is performed in thepresence of a UV radiation source for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or any amount of time within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, thereacting step comprises an addition reaction between the at least onefree primary amine group of at least one drug or the at least onesecondary amine group of the at least one drug with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one free primary aminegroup or at least one secondary amine group is present on a peptide. Insome alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs are polymerized tothe at least one acrylate, thereby producing at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or10 drugs comprise at least one primary amine group or at least onesecondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the at least one primary amine group or the at least onesecondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 drugsparticipates in an addition reaction with the at least one acrylate. Insome alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acid analogue,amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the proteinis insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises providing a second drug, wherein, the second drug comprises atleast one amine group. In some alternatives, the second drug comprisesat least two additional secondary amine groups one free amine group is afree primary amine group. In some alternatives, the at least one aminegroup of the second drug is a secondary amine group. In somealternatives, the second drug further comprises at least two secondaryamine groups. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate, and anamine sum total comprising a sum total of the at least primary and/orsecondary amines of the at least one or two drugs are at a molar ratioof 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 diacrylate:amine sumtotal or any other ratio within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the second drug is anucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist,platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines,γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminatedbenzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the protein is insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives,the reacting step is performed for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, or within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the methodfurther comprises purifying the hydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives,the method further comprises stopping the cross-linking step before thepurification step. In some alternatives, the stopping is performed byadding hydrochloric acid. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises stopping the polymerization action before the purificationstep, wherein, the method is stopped by lowering the temperature to atleast or equal to 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. orany temperature within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues, or any temperature lower than the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method reaction further comprises monitoring thecross-linking step, wherein, the monitoring is performed by obtaining asample of the reaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture toFTIR. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the second drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing achemical spacer comprising at least one free primary amine group or atleast one secondary amine group, wherein, the chemical spacer is aspacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrug. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer comprises at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is provided at a ratioof the chemical spacer to the at least one drug of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1,10:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 orany other ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drug in between anytwo aforementioned ratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least one primary amine group of the chemicalspacer or at least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer isattached to a carbon chain. In some alternatives, the spacer comprisesisobutylamine. In some alternatives, the carbon chain can have at leastor equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number ofcarbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain has substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains compriseheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is added to theat least one acrylate prior to reacting the at least one drug with theat least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer, at least one acrylate, and at leastone drug are all reacted simultaneously to form at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the reacting step. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step comprises cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises thepolymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent prior toadding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In some alternatives,the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In some alternatives, thesolvent does not contain a buffer with an amine group such as Tris. Insome alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent. In somealternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the polymer structure terminates withacrylate ends. In some alternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises amolecular weight of at least or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000,30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da orany molecular weight within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises washing the hydrogel prodrug with ethanol or another solventto remove unwanted or unreacted material. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stretching or compressing the hydrogel prodrugto a desired shape. In some alternatives, the cross-linking step isperformed in a mold such that the hydrogel prodrug comprises a finaldesired shape, such as a tablet, a film, a dressing or a scaffold. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is compressed into a film forapplication to a surface area, such as a dressing or shaped into ascaffold or support. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isprocessed into a solid capsule, implant, microparticle or a pill. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hours or 64 hours or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or 128 days, or any number ofdays within a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4months, 8 months, 12 months, or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two aforementioned values. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises providing a targeting moiety and incorporatingor linking the targeting moiety to the at least one polymer prodrug. Insome alternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a ligand on anorgan, tissue or a cell. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a surface protein that is expressed during manifestation ofa disease. In some alternatives, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease,a neurological disease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or acancer antigen. In some alternatives, the tumor is a solid tumor.Accordingly, some alternatives comprise the hydrogel prodrugmanufactured by any of the approaches above and some alternativescomprise the hydrogel prodrug obtainable from said methods and someembodiments comprise any one or more of the hydrogel prodrugs asdescribed above.

In a second aspect, a hydrogel prodrug delivery system is provided. Thehydrogel prodrug delivery system can comprise the hydrogel prodrugmanufactured by any one of alternatives described herein. The hydrogelprodrug can be manufactured by the following steps: providing at leastone drug that comprises at least one amine group, providing at least oneacrylate, reacting said at least one acrylate with the at least oneamine group of the at least one drug, thereby producing at least onepolymer prodrug, wherein, the reacting comprises a polymerizationreaction and cross-linking said at least one polymer prodrug in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprisespolymerized polymer prodrug. In some alternatives, the at least oneamine group is a free primary amine group. In some alternatives, the atleast one amine group is drug comprises at least a two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, wherein the at least one amine groupcomprises at least two secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, themethod comprises reacting the at least one acrylate with the at leasttwo secondary amine groups of the at least one drug. In somealternatives, at least one primary amine and/or at least one secondaryamine are provided. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate canhave at least one acrylate group. In some alternatives, the at least oneacrylate group is bound by an ester linkage to an opposing termini of acarbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprises at leastor equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 carbon atoms,or any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprisessubstituted heteroatoms, unsubstituted heteroatoms, unsaturatedcarbon-carbon bonds, saturated carbon-carbon bonds, branchedsubstitutions, unbranched substitutions and/or cyclic carbon chains. Insome alternatives, the cyclic carbon chains comprise saturated bonds,unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms. In some alternatives, the acrylatecomprises two acrylate groups and is a diacrylate. In some alternatives,the diacrylate is poly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA)poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate (PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol)575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) ordiethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). In some alternatives, the at leastone acrylate and the at least one free primary amine or at least twosecondary amines of the at least one drug are at a molar ratio of1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 acrylate to drug or anyother ratio within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprises a molecular weightof 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000, 10000 g/mol, or any othermolecular weight within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the reacting step is performed at atemperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30° C., 35° C., 40°C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75° C., 80° C., 85°C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C., 115° C. or 120° C. or anytemperature within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the reacting is performed at a temperatureof at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30° C. or 35° C. or anytemperature within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the cross-linking is performed in thepresence of a catalyst. In some alternatives, the catalyst is TEMED. Insome alternatives, the TEMED is at a 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%or 10% w/w of TEMED to reaction mixture or any w/w percent within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the free radical initiator is ammonium persulfate. In somealternatives, the concentration of ammonium persulfate in the reactionis 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of ammonium sulfate toreaction mixture or any concentration within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a UV radiation source. In somealternatives, the free radical initiator is a light-activated freeradical initiator. In some alternatives, the light-activated freeradical initiator is DMPA. In some alternatives, the DMPA is at aconcentration that is at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v of DMPA in thereaction mixture or any concentration within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a UV radiation source for at least or equalto 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or any amount of time withina range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction betweenthe at least one free primary amine group of at least one drug or the atleast one secondary amine group of the at least one drug with the atleast one acrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one free primaryamine group or at least one secondary amine group is present on apeptide. In some alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs arepolymerized to the at least one acrylate, thereby producing at least 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least one primary amine group orat least one secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary amine groups.In some alternatives, the at least one primary amine group or the atleast one secondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10drugs participates in an addition reaction with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the proteinis insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises providing a second drug, wherein, the second drug comprises atleast one amine group. In some alternatives, the second drug comprisesat least two additional secondary amine groups one free amine group is afree primary amine group. In some alternatives, the at least one aminegroup of the second drug is a secondary amine group. In somealternatives, the second drug further comprises at least two secondaryamine groups. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate, and anamine sum total comprising a sum total of the at least primary and/orsecondary amines of the at least one or two drugs are at a molar ratioof 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 diacrylate:amine sumtotal or any other ratio within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the second drug is anucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist,platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines,γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminatedbenzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the protein is insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives,the reacting step is performed for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, or within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the methodfurther comprises purifying the hydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives,the method further comprises stopping the cross-linking step before thepurification step. In some alternatives, the stopping is performed byadding hydrochloric acid. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises stopping the polymerization action before the purificationstep, wherein, the method is stopped by lowering the temperature to atleast or equal to 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. orany temperature within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues, or any temperature lower than the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method reaction further comprises monitoring thecross-linking step, wherein, the monitoring is performed by obtaining asample of the reaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture toFTIR. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the second drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing achemical spacer comprising at least one free primary amine group or atleast one secondary amine group, wherein, the chemical spacer is aspacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrug. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer comprises at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is provided at a ratioof the chemical spacer to the at least one drug of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1,10:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 orany other ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drug in between anytwo aforementioned ratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least one primary amine group of the chemicalspacer or at least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer isattached to a carbon chain. In some alternatives, the spacer comprisesisobutylamine. In some alternatives, the carbon chain can have at leastor equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number ofcarbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain has substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains compriseheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is added to theat least one acrylate prior to reacting the at least one drug with theat least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer, at least one acrylate, and at leastone drug are all reacted simultaneously to form at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the reacting step. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step comprises cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises thepolymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent prior toadding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In some alternatives,the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In some alternatives, thesolvent does not contain a buffer with an amine group such as Tris. Insome alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent. In somealternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the polymer structure terminates withacrylate ends. In some alternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises amolecular weight of at least or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000,30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da orany molecular weight within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises washing the hydrogel prodrug with ethanol or another solventto remove unwanted or unreacted material. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stretching or compressing the hydrogel prodrugto a desired shape. In some alternatives, the cross-linking step isperformed in a mold such that the hydrogel prodrug comprises a finaldesired shape, such as a tablet, a film, a dressing or a scaffold. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is compressed into a film forapplication to a surface area, such as a dressing or shaped into ascaffold or support. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isprocessed into a solid capsule, implant, microparticle or a pill. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hours or 64 hours or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or 128 days, or any number ofdays within a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4months, 8 months, 12 months, or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two aforementioned values. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises providing a targeting moiety and incorporatingor linking the targeting moiety to the at least one polymer prodrug. Insome alternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a ligand on anorgan, tissue or a cell. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a surface protein that is expressed during manifestation ofa disease. In some alternatives, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease,a neurological disease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or acancer antigen. In some alternatives, the tumor is a solid tumor.Accordingly, some alternatives comprise the hydrogel prodrugmanufactured by any of the approaches above and some alternativescomprise the hydrogel prodrug obtainable from said methods and someembodiments comprise any one or more of the hydrogel prodrugs asdescribed above. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug deliverysystem, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a peptide. In some alternativesof the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the hydrogel prodrug comprisesat least one drug. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug deliverysystem, the at least one drug comprises a nucleic acid analogue, aminoester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutic, anthracycline, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drug, aminoacid derivative, aminated benzoic acid derivative, antibiotic, statin,chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof,protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic,antiepileptic, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptive, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor,psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives of thehydrogel prodrug delivery system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises asecond, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenthdrug. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, thesecond, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenthdrug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutic,anthracycline, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drug, amino acid derivative,aminated benzoic acid derivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic,antiepileptic, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptive, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor,psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the proteinis insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrugdelivery system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises at least one acrylate.In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the atleast one acrylate group is bound by an ester linkage to an opposingtermini of a carbon chain, wherein, the carbon chain comprises at leastor equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 carbon atoms,or any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrugdelivery system, the carbon chain comprises substituted heteroatoms,unsubstituted heteroatoms, unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, saturatedcarbon-carbon bonds, branched substitutions, unbranched substitutionsand/or cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives of the hydrogelprodrug delivery system, the cyclic carbon chains comprise saturatedbonds, unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms. In some alternatives of thehydrogel prodrug delivery system, the acrylate comprises at least twoacrylate groups and is a diacrylate. In some alternatives of thehydrogel prodrug delivery system, the diacrylate is poly(ethyleneglycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate(PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). Insome alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the acrylatecomprises a molecular weight of at least or equal to 170, 250, 575, 700,1000, 2000, 3500, 5000, 10000, g/mol, or any other molecular weightwithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the at least onedrug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin,gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin,levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamicacid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, the second, third,fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, thehydrogel prodrug further comprises a spacer. In some alternatives, thespacer comprises isobutylamine. In some alternatives of the hydrogelprodrug delivery system, the spacer comprises a hydrophilic group, suchas a hydroxyl group. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrugdelivery system, the spacer comprises a carbon chain. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the carbon chaincomprises at least or equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atomsor any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrugdelivery system, the carbon chain comprises substituted heterocarbons,unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds, unsaturated carbonbonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/or unbranched cyclic carbonchains. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system,the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In some alternatives ofthe hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the branched or unbranched cycliccarbon chains comprise heteroatoms. In some alternatives of the hydrogelprodrug delivery system, the hydrogel prodrug is a compressed sheet,film, incorporated into a scaffold, support or a dressing. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the hydrogelprodrug is shaped into a tablet, an implantable device, microparticle ora pill. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system,the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymer structure, wherein, the polymerstructure is a poly (beta amino ester) (PBAE). In some alternatives ofthe hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises apolymer structure, wherein, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecules, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to the vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the polymerstructure terminates with acrylate ends. In some alternatives of thehydrogel prodrug delivery system, the drug is incorporated into thepolymer structure and wherein, the drug is covalently linked between twoacrylates. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system,the spacer is in between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20,50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any integer within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned integers. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of atleast or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hoursor 64 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by any twoaforementioned values. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrugdelivery system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or 128 days, or any number ofdays within a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of atleast or equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, orany amount of time within a range defined by any two aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system,the hydrogel prodrug comprises a targeting moiety. In some alternativesof the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the targeting moiety isspecific for a ligand on an organ, tissue or a cell. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the targetingmoiety is specific for a surface protein that is expressed duringmanifestation of a disease. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrugdelivery system, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease, a neurologicaldisease or a skin disease. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrugdelivery system, the targeting moiety is specific for a tumor cellligand on a tumor or a cancer antigen. In some alternatives of thehydrogel prodrug delivery system, the tumor is a solid tumor.Accordingly, some alternatives comprise the hydrogel prodrugmanufactured by any of the approaches above and some alternativescomprise the hydrogel prodrug obtainable from said methods and someembodiments comprise any one or more of the hydrogel prodrugs asdescribed above.

In a third aspect, a method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, inwhich the hydrogel prodrug composition has at least two drugs isprovided. The method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition comprisingat least two drugs can have the following: providing a first polymerprodrug manufactured by anyone of the alternatives provided herein,providing a second polymer prodrug manufactured by anyone of thealternatives provided herein, blending the first and second polymerprodrugs to form a mixture and cross-linking the first and secondpolymer prodrugs thereby forming a hydrogel prodrug compositioncomprising at least two drugs. The first and second polymer prodrugs canbe manufactured by the following steps: providing at least one drug thatcomprises at least one amine group, providing at least one acrylate,reacting said at least one acrylate with the at least one amine group ofthe at least one drug, thereby producing at least one polymer prodrug,wherein, the reacting comprises a polymerization reaction andcross-linking said at least one polymer prodrug in the presence of afree radical initiator in a reaction mixture, thereby making thehydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a backbonestructure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises polymerized polymerprodrug. In some alternatives, the at least one amine group is a freeprimary amine group. In some alternatives, the at least one amine groupis drug comprises at least a two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, wherein the at least one amine group comprises at leasttwo secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the method comprisesreacting the at least one acrylate with the at least two secondary aminegroups of the at least one drug In some alternatives, at least oneprimary amine and/or at least one secondary amine are provided. In somealternatives, the at least one acrylate can have at least one acrylategroup. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate group is bound byan ester linkage to an opposing termini of a carbon chain. In somealternatives, the carbon chain comprises at least or equal to 1, 10, 20,30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 carbon atoms, or any number of carbonatoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. Insome alternatives, the carbon chain comprises substituted heteroatoms,unsubstituted heteroatoms, unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, saturatedcarbon-carbon bonds, branched substitutions, unbranched substitutionsand/or cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the cyclic carbonchains comprise saturated bonds, unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms.In some alternatives, the acrylate comprises two acrylate groups and isa diacrylate. In some alternatives, the diacrylate is poly(ethyleneglycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate(PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). Insome alternatives, the at least one acrylate and the at least one freeprimary amine or at least two secondary amines of the at least one drugare at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1acrylate to drug or any other ratio within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprisesa molecular weight of 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000, 10000g/mol, or any other molecular weight within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting step isperformed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30°C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75°C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C., 115° C.or 120° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting is performedat a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30° C. or 35°C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a catalyst. In some alternatives, thecatalyst is TEMED. In some alternatives, the TEMED is at a 1%, 2%, 3%,4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of TEMED to reaction mixture or anyw/w percent within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is ammoniumpersulfate. In some alternatives, the concentration of ammoniumpersulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10%w/w of ammonium sulfate to reaction mixture or any concentration withina range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the cross-linking is performed in the presence of a UVradiation source. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is alight-activated free radical initiator. In some alternatives, thelight-activated free radical initiator is DMPA. In some alternatives,the DMPA is at a concentration that is at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% or 1%v/v of DMPA in the reaction mixture or any concentration within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the cross-linking is performed in the presence of a UV radiation sourcefor at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the reacting step comprises an additionreaction between the at least one free primary amine group of at leastone drug or the at least one secondary amine group of the at least onedrug with the at least one acrylate. In some alternatives, the at leastone free primary amine group or at least one secondary amine group ispresent on a peptide. In some alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10drugs are polymerized to the at least one acrylate, thereby producing atleast 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least one primary aminegroup or at least one secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the at least one primary amine group orthe at least one secondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,or 10 drugs participates in an addition reaction with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the proteinis insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises providing a second drug, wherein, the second drug comprises atleast one amine group. In some alternatives, the second drug comprisesat least two additional secondary amine groups one free amine group is afree primary amine group. In some alternatives, the at least one aminegroup of the second drug is a secondary amine group. In somealternatives, the second drug further comprises at least two secondaryamine groups. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate, and anamine sum total comprising a sum total of the at least primary and/orsecondary amines of the at least one or two drugs are at a molar ratioof 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 diacrylate:amine sumtotal or any other ratio within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the second drug is anucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist,platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines,γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminatedbenzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the protein is insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives,the reacting step is performed for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, or within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the methodfurther comprises purifying the hydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives,the method further comprises stopping the cross-linking step before thepurification step. In some alternatives, the stopping is performed byadding hydrochloric acid. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises stopping the polymerization action before the purificationstep, wherein, the method is stopped by lowering the temperature to atleast or equal to 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. orany temperature within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues, or any temperature lower than the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method reaction further comprises monitoring thecross-linking step, wherein, the monitoring is performed by obtaining asample of the reaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture toFTIR. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the second drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing achemical spacer comprising at least one free primary amine group or atleast one secondary amine group, wherein, the chemical spacer is aspacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrug. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer comprises at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is provided at a ratioof the chemical spacer to the at least one drug of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1,10:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 orany other ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drug in between anytwo aforementioned ratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least one primary amine group of the chemicalspacer or at least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer isattached to a carbon chain. In some alternatives, the spacer comprisesisobutylamine. In some alternatives, the carbon chain can have at leastor equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number ofcarbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain has substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains compriseheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is added to theat least one acrylate prior to reacting the at least one drug with theat least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer, at least one acrylate, and at leastone drug are all reacted simultaneously to form at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the reacting step. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step comprises cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises thepolymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent prior toadding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In some alternatives,the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In some alternatives, thesolvent does not contain a buffer with an amine group such as Tris. Insome alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent. In somealternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the polymer structure terminates withacrylate ends. In some alternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises amolecular weight of at least or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000,30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da orany molecular weight within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises washing the hydrogel prodrug with ethanol or another solventto remove unwanted or unreacted material. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stretching or compressing the hydrogel prodrugto a desired shape. In some alternatives, the cross-linking step isperformed in a mold such that the hydrogel prodrug comprises a finaldesired shape, such as a tablet, a film, a dressing or a scaffold. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is compressed into a film forapplication to a surface area, such as a dressing or shaped into ascaffold or support. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isprocessed into a solid capsule, implant, microparticle or a pill. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hours or 64 hours or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or 128 days, or any number ofdays within a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4months, 8 months, 12 months, or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two aforementioned values. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises providing a targeting moiety and incorporatingor linking the targeting moiety to the at least one polymer prodrug. Insome alternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a ligand on anorgan, tissue or a cell. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a surface protein that is expressed during manifestation ofa disease. In some alternatives, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease,a neurological disease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or acancer antigen. In some alternatives, the tumor is a solid tumor.Accordingly, some alternatives comprise the hydrogel prodrugmanufactured by any of the approaches above and some alternativescomprise the hydrogel prodrug obtainable from said methods and someembodiments comprise any one or more of the hydrogel prodrugs asdescribed above. In some alternatives, the first or second polymerprodrug comprises a peptide. In some alternatives, the first or secondpolymer prodrug comprises at least one drug. In some alternatives, theat least one drug comprises a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-baseddrug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic,statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portionthereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid,antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics,analgesics, antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the protein is insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives,the first or second polymer prodrug comprises a second, third, fourth,fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug. In somealternatives, the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth,ninth or tenth drug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug,neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic,statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portionthereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid,antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics,analgesics, antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the first or second polymer prodrug comprises at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate is adiacrylate. In some alternatives, the diacrylate is poly(ethyleneglycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate(PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). Insome alternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth,seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the first or second polymer prodrug furthercomprises a spacer group. In some alternatives, the spacer comprises atleast primary amine group or at least one secondary amine group of thechemical spacer is attached to a carbon chain. In some alternatives, thecarbon chain comprises at least or equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30carbon atoms or any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by anytwo of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the carbon chaincomprises substituted heterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons,saturated carbon bonds, unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbonchains and/or unbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains areunsaturated. In some alternatives, the branched or unbranched cycliccarbon chains comprise heteroatoms. In some alternatives, the first orsecond polymer prodrug comprises a polymer structure, wherein, thepolymer structure is a poly (beta amino ester) (PBAE). In somealternatives, the first or second polymer prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the drug is incorporated into the polymer structure.In some alternatives, the polymer structure terminates with acrylateends. In some alternatives, the drug is incorporated into the polymerstructure, wherein, the drug is covalently linked between two acrylates.In some alternatives, the spacer is in between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10 15, 20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, orany integer within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing athird, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth polymerprodrug and blending the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth,ninth or tenth polymer prodrug with the first and second hydrogelprodrug during the blending step. In some alternatives of the method,the hydrogel prodrug composition comprises a degradation time to releasedrugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8hours, 16 hours, 32 hours or 64 hours or any amount of time within arange defined by any two aforementioned values. In some alternatives ofthe method, the hydrogel prodrug composition comprises a degradationtime to release drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 day, 2days, 4 days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or 128 days, or anynumber of days within a range defined by any two aforementioned values.In some alternatives of the method, the hydrogel prodrug compositioncomprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of at leastor equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two aforementioned values.In some alternatives of the method, the first, second, third, fourth,fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and/or tenth hydrogel prodrugfurther comprises providing a targeting moiety. In some alternatives ofthe method, the targeting moiety is specific for a ligand on an organ,tissue or a cell. In some alternatives of the method, the targetingmoiety is specific for a surface protein that is expressed duringmanifestation of a disease. In some alternatives of the method, thedisease is cancer, cardiac disease, a neurological disease or a skindisease. In some alternatives of the method, the targeting moiety isspecific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or a cancer antigen. In somealternatives of the method, the tumor is a solid tumor. Accordingly,some alternatives comprise the hydrogel prodrug manufactured by any ofthe approaches above and some alternatives comprise the hydrogel prodrugobtainable from said methods and some embodiments comprise any one ormore of the hydrogel prodrugs as described above.

In a fourth aspect, a hydrogel prodrug manufactured by any one of thealternative methods is provided. The method can include the following:providing at least one drug that comprises at least one amine group,providing at least one acrylate, reacting said at least one acrylatewith the at least one amine group of the at least one drug, therebyproducing at least one polymer prodrug, wherein, the reacting comprisesa polymerization reaction and cross-linking said at least one polymerprodrug in the presence of a free radical initiator in a reactionmixture, thereby making the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a backbone structure, wherein, the backbone structurecomprises polymerized polymer prodrug. In some alternatives, the atleast one amine group is a free primary amine group. In somealternatives, the at least one amine group is drug comprises at least atwo secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, wherein the at leastone amine group comprises at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the method comprises reacting the at least one acrylatewith the at least two secondary amine groups of the at least one drug Insome alternatives, at least one primary amine and/or at least onesecondary amine are provided. In some alternatives, the at least oneacrylate can have at least one acrylate group. In some alternatives, theat least one acrylate group is bound by an ester linkage to an opposingtermini of a carbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbon chaincomprises at least or equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or100 carbon atoms, or any number of carbon atoms within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, thecarbon chain comprises substituted heteroatoms, unsubstitutedheteroatoms, unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, saturated carbon-carbonbonds, branched substitutions, unbranched substitutions and/or cycliccarbon chains. In some alternatives, the cyclic carbon chains comprisesaturated bonds, unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms. In somealternatives, the acrylate comprises two acrylate groups and is adiacrylate. In some alternatives, the diacrylate is poly(ethyleneglycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate(PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). Insome alternatives, the at least one acrylate and the at least one freeprimary amine or at least two secondary amines of the at least one drugare at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1acrylate to drug or any other ratio within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprisesa molecular weight of 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000, 10000g/mol, or any other molecular weight within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting step isperformed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30°C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75°C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C., 115° C.or 120° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting is performedat a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30° C. or 35°C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a catalyst. In some alternatives, thecatalyst is TEMED. In some alternatives, the TEMED is at a 1%, 2%, 3%,4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of TEMED to reaction mixture or anyw/w percent within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is ammoniumpersulfate. In some alternatives, the concentration of ammoniumpersulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10%w/w of ammonium sulfate to reaction mixture or any concentration withina range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the cross-linking is performed in the presence of a UVradiation source. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is alight-activated free radical initiator. In some alternatives, thelight-activated free radical initiator is DMPA. In some alternatives,the DMPA is at a concentration that is at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% or 1%v/v of DMPA in the reaction mixture or any concentration within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the cross-linking is performed in the presence of a UV radiation sourcefor at least at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10minutes or any amount of time within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting step comprisesan addition reaction between the at least one free primary amine groupof at least one drug or the at least one secondary amine group of the atleast one drug with the at least one acrylate. In some alternatives, theat least one free primary amine group or at least one secondary aminegroup is present on a peptide. In some alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9 or 10 drugs are polymerized to the at least one acrylate, therebyproducing at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In somealternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at leastone primary amine group or at least one secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at leasttwo secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the at least oneprimary amine group or the at least one secondary amine groups of the 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 drugs participates in an addition reactionwith the at least one acrylate. In some alternatives, the at least onedrug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics,anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acidderivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin,chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof,protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptic, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptive, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor,psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the proteinis insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises providing a second drug, wherein, the second drug comprises atleast one amine group. In some alternatives, the second drug comprisesat least two additional secondary amine groups one free amine group is afree primary amine group. In some alternatives, the at least one aminegroup of the second drug is a secondary amine group. In somealternatives, the second drug further comprises at least two secondaryamine groups. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate, and anamine sum total comprising a sum total of the at least primary and/orsecondary amines of the at least one or two drugs are at a molar ratioof 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 diacrylate:amine sumtotal or any other ratio within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the second drug is anucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist,platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines,γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminatedbenzoic acid derivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesics,antiepileptic, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptive, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors,psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the proteinis insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives, the reacting step isperformed for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12,24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, or within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises purifying the hydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stopping the cross-linking step before thepurification step. In some alternatives, the stopping is performed byadding hydrochloric acid. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises stopping the polymerization action before the purificationstep, wherein, the method is stopped by lowering the temperature to atleast or equal to 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. orany temperature within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues, or any temperature lower than the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method reaction further comprises monitoring thecross-linking step, wherein, the monitoring is performed by obtaining asample of the reaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture toFTIR. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the second drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing achemical spacer comprising at least one free primary amine group or atleast one secondary amine group, wherein, the chemical spacer is aspacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrug. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer comprises at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is provided at a ratioof the chemical spacer to the at least one drug of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1,10:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 orany other ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drug in between anytwo aforementioned ratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least one primary amine group of the chemicalspacer or at least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer isattached to a carbon chain. In some alternatives, the spacer comprisesisobutylamine. In some alternatives, the carbon chain can have at leastor equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number ofcarbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain has substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains compriseheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is added to theat least one acrylate prior to reacting the at least one drug with theat least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer, at least one acrylate, and at leastone drug are all reacted simultaneously to form at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the reacting step. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step comprises cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises thepolymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent prior toadding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In some alternatives,the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In some alternatives, thesolvent does not contain a buffer with an amine group such as Tris. Insome alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent. In somealternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the polymer structure terminates withacrylate ends. In some alternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises amolecular weight of at least or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000,30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da orany molecular weight within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises washing the hydrogel prodrug with ethanol or another solventto remove unwanted or unreacted material. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stretching or compressing the hydrogel prodrugto a desired shape. In some alternatives, the cross-linking step isperformed in a mold such that the hydrogel prodrug comprises a finaldesired shape, such as a tablet, a film, a dressing or a scaffold. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is compressed into a film forapplication to a surface area, such as a dressing or shaped into ascaffold or support. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isprocessed into a solid capsule, implant, microparticle or a pill. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hours or 64 hours or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or 128 days, or any number ofdays within a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4months, 8 months, 12 months, or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two aforementioned values. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises providing a targeting moiety and incorporatingor linking the targeting moiety to the at least one polymer prodrug. Insome alternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a ligand on anorgan, tissue or a cell. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a surface protein that is expressed during manifestation ofa disease. In some alternatives, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease,a neurological disease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or acancer antigen. In some alternatives, the tumor is a solid tumor.Accordingly, some alternatives comprise the hydrogel prodrugmanufactured by any of the approaches above and some alternativescomprise the hydrogel prodrug obtainable from said methods and someembodiments comprise any one or more of the hydrogel prodrugs asdescribed above.

In a fifth aspect, a hydrogel prodrug composition manufactured by anyone of the alternative methods described herein is provided. The methodfor making the hydrogel prodrug composition can have the followingsteps: providing a first polymer prodrug manufactured by anyone of thealternatives provided herein, providing a second polymer prodrugmanufactured by anyone of the alternatives provided herein, blending thefirst and second polymer prodrugs to form a mixture and cross-linkingthe first and second polymer prodrugs thereby forming a hydrogel prodrugcomposition comprising at least two drugs. The first and second polymerprodrugs can be manufactured by the following steps: providing at leastone drug that comprises at least one amine group, providing at least oneacrylate, reacting said at least one acrylate with the at least oneamine group of the at least one drug, thereby producing at least onepolymer prodrug, wherein, the reacting comprises a polymerizationreaction and cross-linking said at least one polymer prodrug in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprisespolymerized polymer prodrug. In some alternatives, the at least oneamine group is a free primary amine group. In some alternatives, the atleast one amine group is drug comprises at least a two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, wherein the at least one amine groupcomprises at least two secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, themethod comprises reacting the at least one acrylate with the at leasttwo secondary amine groups of the at least one drug In somealternatives, at least one primary amine and/or at least one secondaryamine are provided. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate canhave at least one acrylate group. In some alternatives, the at least oneacrylate group is bound by an ester linkage to an opposing termini of acarbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprises at leastor equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 carbon atoms,or any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprisessubstituted heteroatoms, unsubstituted heteroatoms, unsaturatedcarbon-carbon bonds, saturated carbon-carbon bonds, branchedsubstitutions, unbranched substitutions and/or cyclic carbon chains. Insome alternatives, the cyclic carbon chains comprise saturated bonds,unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms. In some alternatives, the acrylatecomprises two acrylate groups and is a diacrylate. In some alternatives,the diacrylate is poly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA)poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate (PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol)575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) ordiethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). In some alternatives, the at leastone acrylate and the at least one free primary amine or at least twosecondary amines of the at least one drug are at a molar ratio of1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 acrylate to drug or anyother ratio within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprises a molecular weightof at least or equal to 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000,10000 g/mol, or any other molecular weight within a range defined by anytwo of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reactingstep is performed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25°C., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70°C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C.,115° C. or 120° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting isperformed at a temperature of 20° C., 25° C., 30° C. or 35° C. or anytemperature within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the cross-linking is performed in thepresence of a catalyst. In some alternatives, the catalyst is TEMED. Insome alternatives, the TEMED is at a 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%or 10% w/w of TEMED to reaction mixture or any w/w percent within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the free radical initiator is ammonium persulfate. In somealternatives, the concentration of ammonium persulfate in the reactionis 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of ammonium sulfate toreaction mixture or any concentration within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a UV radiation source. In somealternatives, the free radical initiator is a light-activated freeradical initiator. In some alternatives, the light-activated freeradical initiator is DMPA. In some alternatives, the DMPA is at aconcentration that is at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v of DMPA in thereaction mixture or any concentration within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a UV radiation source for at least 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the reacting step comprises an addition reaction between the at leastone free primary amine group of at least one drug or the at least onesecondary amine group of the at least one drug with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one free primary aminegroup or at least one secondary amine group is present on a peptide. Insome alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs are polymerized tothe at least one acrylate, thereby producing at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or10 drugs comprise at least one primary amine group or at least onesecondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the at least one primary amine group or the at least onesecondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 drugsparticipates in an addition reaction with the at least one acrylate. Insome alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acid analogue,amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the proteinis insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises providing a second drug, wherein, the second drug comprises atleast one amine group. In some alternatives, the second drug comprisesat least two additional secondary amine groups one free amine group is afree primary amine group. In some alternatives, the at least one aminegroup of the second drug is a secondary amine group. In somealternatives, the second drug further comprises at least two secondaryamine groups. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate, and anamine sum total comprising a sum total of the at least primary and/orsecondary amines of the at least one or two drugs are at a molar ratioof 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 diacrylate:amine sumtotal or any other ratio within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the second drug is anucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist,platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines,γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminatedbenzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the protein is insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives,the reacting step is performed for at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, or within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises purifying the hydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stopping the cross-linking step before thepurification step. In some alternatives, the stopping is performed byadding hydrochloric acid. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises stopping the polymerization action before the purificationstep, wherein, the method is stopped by lowering the temperature to atleast or equal to 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. orany temperature within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues, or any temperature lower than the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method reaction further comprises monitoring thecross-linking step, wherein, the monitoring is performed by obtaining asample of the reaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture toFTIR. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the second drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing achemical spacer comprising at least one free primary amine group or atleast one secondary amine group, wherein, the chemical spacer is aspacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrug. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer comprises at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is provided at a ratioof the chemical spacer to the at least one drug of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1,10:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 orany other ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drug in between anytwo aforementioned ratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least one primary amine group of the chemicalspacer or at least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer isattached to a carbon chain. In some alternatives, the spacer comprisesisobutylamine. In some alternatives, the carbon chain can have at leastor equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number ofcarbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain has substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains compriseheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is added to theat least one acrylate prior to reacting the at least one drug with theat least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer, at least one acrylate, and at leastone drug are all reacted simultaneously to form at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the reacting step. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step comprises cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises thepolymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent prior toadding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In some alternatives,the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In some alternatives, thesolvent does not contain a buffer with an amine group such as Tris. Insome alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent. In somealternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the polymer structure terminates withacrylate ends. In some alternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises amolecular weight of at least or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000,30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da orany molecular weight within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises washing the hydrogel prodrug with ethanol or another solventto remove unwanted or unreacted material. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stretching or compressing the hydrogel prodrugto a desired shape. In some alternatives, the cross-linking step isperformed in a mold such that the hydrogel prodrug comprises a finaldesired shape, such as a tablet, a film, a dressing or a scaffold. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is compressed into a film forapplication to a surface area, such as a dressing or shaped into ascaffold or support. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isprocessed into a solid capsule, implant, microparticle or a pill. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hours or 64 hours or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or 128 days, or any number ofdays within a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4months, 8 months, 12 months, or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two aforementioned values. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises providing a targeting moiety and incorporatingor linking the targeting moiety to the at least one polymer prodrug. Insome alternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a ligand on anorgan, tissue or a cell. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a surface protein that is expressed during manifestation ofa disease. In some alternatives, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease,a neurological disease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or acancer antigen. In some alternatives, the tumor is a solid tumor.Accordingly, some alternatives comprise the hydrogel prodrugmanufactured by any of the approaches above and some alternativescomprise the hydrogel prodrug obtainable from said methods and someembodiments comprise any one or more of the hydrogel prodrugs asdescribed above.

In a sixth aspect, a method of ameliorating or inhibiting cancer, HIV, aviral infection, pain, a bacterial infection, a neurological disorder,hemorrhaging, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, high blood pressure,Alzheimer's, or inhibiting a fungal growth in a subject in need isprovided. The method of making the hydrogel prodrug can have thefollowing steps: delivering the hydrogel prodrug manufactured by any oneof the alternatives described herein, the hydrogel prodrug system of anyone of the alternatives described herein, the hydrogel prodrugcomposition manufactured by any one of the alternatives describedherein, the hydrogel prodrug of any one of the alternatives describedherein or the hydrogel prodrug composition of any one of thealternatives described herein. The method can include the following:providing at least one drug that comprises at least one amine group,providing at least one acrylate, reacting said at least one acrylatewith the at least one amine group of the at least one drug, therebyproducing at least one polymer prodrug, wherein, the reacting comprisesa polymerization reaction and cross-linking said at least one polymerprodrug in the presence of a free radical initiator in a reactionmixture, thereby making the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a backbone structure, wherein, the backbone structurecomprises polymerized polymer prodrug. In some alternatives, the atleast one amine group is a free primary amine group. In somealternatives, the at least one amine group is drug comprises at least atwo secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, wherein the at leastone amine group comprises at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the method comprises reacting the at least one acrylatewith the at least two secondary amine groups of the at least one drug.In some alternatives, at least one primary amine and/or at least onesecondary amine are provided. In some alternatives, the at least oneacrylate can have at least one acrylate group. In some alternatives, theat least one acrylate group is bound by an ester linkage to an opposingtermini of a carbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbon chaincomprises at least or equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or100 carbon atoms, or any number of carbon atoms within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, thecarbon chain comprises substituted heteroatoms, unsubstitutedheteroatoms, unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, saturated carbon-carbonbonds, branched substitutions, unbranched substitutions and/or cycliccarbon chains. In some alternatives, the cyclic carbon chains comprisesaturated bonds, unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms. In somealternatives, the acrylate comprises two acrylate groups and is adiacrylate. In some alternatives, the diacrylate is poly(ethyleneglycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate(PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). Insome alternatives, the at least one acrylate and the at least one freeprimary amine or at least two secondary amines of the at least one drugare at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1acrylate to drug or any other ratio within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprisesa molecular weight of at least or equal to 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000,2000, 3500, 5000, 10000 g/mol, or any other molecular weight within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the reacting step is performed at a temperature of atleast or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50°C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95°C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C., 115° C. or 120° C. or any temperaturewithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the reacting is performed at a temperature of at least orequal to 20° C., 25° C., 30° C. or 35° C. or any temperature within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the cross-linking is performed in the presence of acatalyst. In some alternatives, the catalyst is TEMED. In somealternatives, the TEMED is at a 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or10% w/w of TEMED to reaction mixture or any w/w percent within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the free radical initiator is ammonium persulfate. In some alternatives,the concentration of ammonium persulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%,4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of ammonium sulfate to reactionmixture or any concentration within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a UV radiation source. In somealternatives, the free radical initiator is a light-activated freeradical initiator. In some alternatives, the light-activated freeradical initiator is DMPA. In some alternatives, the DMPA is at aconcentration that is at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v of DMPA in thereaction mixture or any concentration within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a UV radiation source for at least or equalto 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or any amount of time withina range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction betweenthe at least one free primary amine group of at least one drug or the atleast one secondary amine group of the at least one drug with the atleast one acrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one free primaryamine group or at least one secondary amine group is present on apeptide. In some alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs arepolymerized to the at least one acrylate, thereby producing at least 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least one primary amine group orat least one secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary amine groups.In some alternatives, the at least one primary amine group or the atleast one secondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10drugs participates in an addition reaction with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the proteinis insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises providing a second drug, wherein, the second drug comprises atleast one amine group. In some alternatives, the second drug comprisesat least two additional secondary amine groups one free amine group is afree primary amine group. In some alternatives, the at least one aminegroup of the second drug is a secondary amine group. In somealternatives, the second drug further comprises at least two secondaryamine groups. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate, and anamine sum total comprising a sum total of the at least primary and/orsecondary amines of the at least one or two drugs are at a molar ratioof 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 diacrylate:amine sumtotal or any other ratio within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the second drug is anucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist,platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines,γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminatedbenzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the protein is insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives,the reacting step is performed for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, or within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the methodfurther comprises purifying the hydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives,the method further comprises stopping the cross-linking step before thepurification step. In some alternatives, the stopping is performed byadding hydrochloric acid. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises stopping the polymerization action before the purificationstep, wherein, the method is stopped by lowering the temperature to atleast or equal to 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. orany temperature within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues, or any temperature lower than the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method reaction further comprises monitoring thecross-linking step, wherein, the monitoring is performed by obtaining asample of the reaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture toFTIR. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the second drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing achemical spacer comprising at least one free primary amine group or atleast one secondary amine group, wherein, the chemical spacer is aspacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrug. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer comprises at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is provided at a ratioof the chemical spacer to the at least one drug of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1,10:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 orany other ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drug in between anytwo aforementioned ratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least one primary amine group of the chemicalspacer or at least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer isattached to a carbon chain. In some alternatives, the spacer comprisesisobutylamine. In some alternatives, the carbon chain can have at leastor equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number ofcarbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain has substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains compriseheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is added to theat least one acrylate prior to reacting the at least one drug with theat least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer, at least one acrylate, and at leastone drug are all reacted simultaneously to form at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the reacting step. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step comprises cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises thepolymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent prior toadding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In some alternatives,the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In some alternatives, thesolvent does not contain a buffer with an amine group such as Tris. Insome alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent. In somealternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the polymer structure terminates withacrylate ends. In some alternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises amolecular weight of at least or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000,30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da orany molecular weight within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises washing the hydrogel prodrug with ethanol or another solventto remove unwanted or unreacted material. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stretching or compressing the hydrogel prodrugto a desired shape. In some alternatives, the cross-linking step isperformed in a mold such that the hydrogel prodrug comprises a finaldesired shape, such as a tablet, a film, a dressing or a scaffold. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is compressed into a film forapplication to a surface area, such as a dressing or shaped into ascaffold or support. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isprocessed into a solid capsule, implant, microparticle or a pill. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hours or 64 hours or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or 128 days, or any number ofdays within a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4months, 8 months, 12 months, or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two aforementioned values. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises providing a targeting moiety and incorporatingor linking the targeting moiety to the at least one polymer prodrug. Insome alternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a ligand on anorgan, tissue or a cell. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a surface protein that is expressed during manifestation ofa disease. In some alternatives, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease,a neurological disease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or acancer antigen. In some alternatives, the tumor is a solid tumor. Thehydrogel prodrug delivery system can comprise the hydrogel prodrugmanufactured by any one of alternatives described herein. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a peptide. In some alternatives of the hydrogelprodrug delivery system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises at least onedrug. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, theat least one drug comprises a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-baseddrug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutic, anthracycline, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drug, aminoacid derivative, aminated benzoic acid derivative, antibiotic, statin,chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof,protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic,antiepileptic, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptive, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor,psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives of thehydrogel prodrug delivery system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises asecond, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenthdrug. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, thesecond, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenthdrug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutic,anthracycline, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drug, amino acid derivative,aminated benzoic acid derivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic,antiepileptic, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptive, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor,psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives of thehydrogel prodrug delivery system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises atleast one acrylate. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrugdelivery system, the at least one acrylate group is bound by an esterlinkage to an opposing termini of a carbon chain, wherein, the carbonchain comprises at least or equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80,90 or 100 carbon atoms, or any number of carbon atoms within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives ofthe hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the carbon chain comprisessubstituted heteroatoms, unsubstituted heteroatoms, unsaturatedcarbon-carbon bonds, saturated carbon-carbon bonds, branchedsubstitutions, unbranched substitutions and/or cyclic carbon chains. Insome alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the cycliccarbon chains comprise saturated bonds, unsaturated bonds and/orheteroatoms. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug deliverysystem, the acrylate comprises at least two acrylate groups and is adiacrylate. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug deliverysystem, the diacrylate is poly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate(PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate (PEG400DA),poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethylene glycoldiacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the acrylatecomprises a molecular weight of at least or equal to 170, 250, 575, 700,1000, 2000, 3500, 5000, 10000, g/mol, or any other molecular weightwithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the at least onedrug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin,gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin,levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamicacid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, the second, third,fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, thehydrogel prodrug further comprises a spacer. In some alternatives, thespacer comprises isobutylamine. In some alternatives of the hydrogelprodrug delivery system, the spacer comprises a hydrophilic group, suchas a hydroxyl group. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrugdelivery system, the spacer comprises a carbon chain. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the carbon chaincomprises at least or equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atomsor any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrugdelivery system, the carbon chain comprises substituted heterocarbons,unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds, unsaturated carbonbonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/or unbranched cyclic carbonchains. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system,the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In some alternatives ofthe hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the branched or unbranched cycliccarbon chains comprise heteroatoms. In some alternatives of the hydrogelprodrug delivery system, the hydrogel prodrug is a compressed sheet,film, incorporated into a scaffold, support or a dressing. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the hydrogelprodrug is shaped into a tablet, an implantable device, microparticle ora pill. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system,the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymer structure, wherein, the polymerstructure is a poly (beta amino ester) (PBAE). In some alternatives ofthe hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises apolymer structure, wherein, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecules, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to the vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the polymerstructure terminates with acrylate ends. In some alternatives of thehydrogel prodrug delivery system, the drug is incorporated into thepolymer structure and wherein, the drug is covalently linked between twoacrylates. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system,the spacer is in between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20,50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any integer within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned integers. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of atleast or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hoursor 64 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by any twoaforementioned values. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrugdelivery system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or 128 days, or any number ofdays within a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of atleast or equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, orany amount of time within a range defined by any two aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system,the hydrogel prodrug comprises a targeting moiety. In some alternativesof the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the targeting moiety isspecific for a ligand on an organ, tissue or a cell. In somealternatives of the hydrogel prodrug delivery system, the targetingmoiety is specific for a surface protein that is expressed duringmanifestation of a disease. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrugdelivery system, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease, a neurologicaldisease or a skin disease. In some alternatives of the hydrogel prodrugdelivery system, the targeting moiety is specific for a tumor cellligand on a tumor or a cancer antigen. In some alternatives of thehydrogel prodrug delivery system, the tumor is a solid tumor. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug composition comprises providing afirst polymer prodrug manufactured by anyone of the alternativesprovided herein, providing a second polymer prodrug manufactured byanyone of the alternatives provided herein, blending the first andsecond polymer prodrugs to form a mixture and cross-linking the firstand second polymer prodrugs thereby forming a hydrogel prodrugcomposition comprising at least two drugs. In some alternatives, themethod of making the composition further comprises providing a third,fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth hydrogel prodrugand blending the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth ortenth hydrogel prodrug with the first and second hydrogel prodrug duringthe blending step. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomposition comprises a degradation time to release drugs for a periodof at least or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32hours or 64 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by anytwo aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomposition comprises a degradation time to release drugs for a periodof at least or equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days,64 days or 128 days, or any number of days within a range defined by anytwo aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomposition comprises the hydrogel prodrug composition comprises adegradation time to release drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1month, 2 months, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug composition comprises the first,second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and/or tenthhydrogel prodrug further comprises providing a targeting moiety. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug composition comprises the targetingmoiety is specific for a ligand on an organ, tissue or a cell. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug composition comprises the targetingmoiety is specific for a surface protein that is expressed duringmanifestation of a disease. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomposition comprises the disease is cancer, cardiac disease, aneurological disease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, thehydrogel prodrug composition comprises the targeting moiety is specificfor a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or a cancer antigen. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug composition comprises the tumor is asolid tumor. the hydrogel prodrug or the hydrogel prodrug compositioncomprises a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics,anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acidderivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin,chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof,protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction. anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, orpsychostimulants, platelet aggregation inhibitors, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine and/or tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug or the hydrogel prodrug composition comprises acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the protein is insulin or lysozyme. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug or the hydrogel prodrug compositionis a compressed sheet, or incorporated into a scaffold, support ordressing. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug or the hydrogelprodrug composition is shaped into a capsule, a tablet, microparticle oran implantable device. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug or thehydrogel prodrug composition is delivered by applying the compressedsheet directly to a skin surface. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug or the hydrogel prodrug composition is applied directly over awound. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug or the hydrogelprodrug composition is an implantable device, and wherein, theimplantable device is placed subcutaneously at a site of a tumor toprovide sustained chemotherapeutic release. In some alternatives, thehydrogel prodrug or the hydrogel prodrug composition is a microparticle,and wherein, the microparticle is injected into a tissue. Accordingly,some alternatives comprise the hydrogel prodrug manufactured by any ofthe approaches above and some alternatives comprise the hydrogel prodrugobtainable from said methods and some embodiments comprise any one ormore of the hydrogel prodrugs as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the controlled release of a drug within a delivery systemin comparison to a drug that is delivered by a tablet (pill, capsule) oran injection.

FIG. 2 shows a concentration profile of the hydrogel prodrug releasing adrug in comparison to an example drug release system, and a drugdelivered via capsule or injection. The level of drug concentration inthe plasma is shown over time after the first dosage.

FIG. 3 shows a general PBAE structure, which is a generalized structureof the backbone of the hydrogel prodrugs produced.

FIG. 4 shows a general structure of a periodic (not random) PBAEcontaining two diacrylates and one amine.

FIG. 5 shows a mold casted polymer prodrug. The polymer prodrug can beplaced into a mold prior to cross-linking. Upon cross-linking, thepolymer prodrug solidifies into a flexible solid material, a hydrogelprodrug, in the shape of the mold. As shown, the polymer prodrugs werecast into microcentrifuge tubes, and the resulting hydrogel prodrugsseen here, made from tranexamic acid, retain the conical tube shape.These conical hydrogels were used for subsequent drug release studies.

FIG. 6 shows a microparticle formulation of the hydrogel prodrug.

FIG. 7A-7B shows the detection of mesalamine from a hydrogel prodrug.FIG. 7A shows the wavelength scan of mesalamine. FIG. 7B is themesalamine standard curve.

FIG. 8 shows a wavelength scan comparing the peaks of drug-free polymer,drug (mesalamine) and polymeric drug (mesalamine).

FIG. 9A-9B show the near linear release of a drug (mesalamine) over 10hours (Formulation VS34) and the near linear release of a drug(mesalamine) over 3 days (formulation VS35) using two formulations of ahydrogel prodrug in which both types release mesalamine.

FIG. 10A-10B shows the detection of tranexamic acid from a hydrogel.

FIG. 10 A shows the wavelength scan of a drug free polymer and VS39(tranexamic acid polymer). FIG. 10 B shows the tranexamic acid polymerstandard curve.

FIG. 11A-11B shows the tranexamic acid release kinetics for twodifferent formulations of the hydrogel prodrugs containing thetranexamic acid. FIG. 11A shows the release kinetics for VS39, ahydrogel prodrug formulated to release tranexamic acid for four hours.FIG. 11B shows the release kinetics for VS45, a hydrogel prodrugformulated to release tranexamic acid for 20 hours.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show a comparison of tranexamic acid release in abiological system in two existing delivery systems.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a polymerization schematic acquired fromAnderson, et al. (A combinatorial library of photocrosslinkable anddegradable materials. Advanced Materials 2006, 18, 2614-2618;incorporated by reference in its entirety herein). In this schematic,the amine molecule is the drug.

FIG. 14 shows reaction scheme P1, involving at least one diacrylatelinker and a non-drug (spacer) amine.

FIG. 15 shows reaction scheme P3, involving at least one diacrylatelinker and one drug.

FIG. 16 shows reaction scheme P2, involving at least one diacrylatelinker and at least one drug.

FIG. 17 shows reaction scheme P4, involving at least one diacrylatelinker and at least two non-drug spacer amines and at least one drug.

FIG. 18 shows reaction scheme P5, involving at least one diacrylatelinker and at least one non-drug spacer amine and at least two drugs.

FIG. 19 shows reaction scheme P6, involving at least two diacrylatelinkers and at least one non-drug spacer amine and at least one drug.

FIG. 20 shows reaction scheme P7, involving at least two diacrylatelinkers and at least two spacer amines and at least two drugs.

FIG. 21 shows the absorbance spectrum of various acyclovir hydrogelprodrug batches after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 22 shows the drug release from acyclovir hydrogel prodrugs preparedusing reaction schemes P3 and P6.

FIG. 23 shows the absorbance spectrum of various aprepitant hydrogelprodrug batches after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 24 shows the drug release from aprepitant hydrogel prodrugsprepared using reaction schemes P3 and P6.

FIG. 25 shows the absorbance spectrum of a benzocaine hydrogel prodrugafter complete degradation in water.

FIG. 26 shows the drug release from a benzocaine hydrogel prodrugprepared using reaction scheme P6.

FIG. 27 shows the absorbance spectrum of various cisplatin hydrogelprodrug batches after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 28 shows the drug release from cisplatin hydrogel prodrugs preparedusing reaction schemes P3 and P6.

FIG. 29 shows the absorbance spectrum of various doxorubicin hydrogelprodrug batches after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 30 shows the drug release from doxorubicin hydrogel prodrugsprepared using reaction schemes P3 and P6.

FIG. 31 shows the absorbance spectrum of various gabapentin hydrogelprodrug batches after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 32 shows the drug release from gabapentin hydrogel prodrugsprepared using reaction schemes P3 and P6.

FIG. 33 shows the absorbance spectrum of various ganciclovir hydrogelprodrug batches after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 34 shows the drug release from a ganciclovir hydrogel prodrugprepared using reaction scheme P3.

FIG. 35 shows the absorbance spectrum of various Immunoglobulin G (IgG)hydrogel prodrug batches after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 36 shows the drug release from IgG hydrogel prodrugs prepared usingreaction schemes P3 and P6.

FIG. 37 shows the absorbance spectrum of various insulin hydrogelprodrug batches after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 38 shows the drug release from insulin hydrogel prodrugs preparedusing reaction schemes P3 and P6.

FIG. 39 shows the absorbance spectrum of various levothyroxine hydrogelprodrug batches after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 40 shows the drug release from levothyroxine hydrogel prodrugsprepared using reaction schemes P3 and P6.

FIG. 41 shows the absorbance spectrum of various lysozyme hydrogelprodrug batches after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 42 shows the drug release from lysozyme hydrogel prodrugs preparedusing reaction schemes P3 and P6.

FIG. 43 shows the absorbance spectrum of various oxaliplatin hydrogelprodrug batches after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 44 shows the drug release from oxaliplatin hydrogel prodrugsprepared using reaction schemes P3 and P6.

FIG. 45 shows the absorbance spectrum of various pregabalin hydrogelprodrug batches after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 46 shows the drug release from pregabalin hydrogel prodrugsprepared using reaction schemes P3 and P6.

FIG. 47 shows the absorbance spectrum of various procaine hydrogelprodrug batches after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 48 shows the drug release from procaine hydrogel prodrugs preparedusing reaction schemes P3 and P6.

FIG. 49 shows the absorbance spectrum of a tenofovir disproxil hydrogelprodrug after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 50 shows the drug release from a tenofovir disproxil hydrogelprodrug prepared using reaction scheme P3.

FIG. 51 shows the absorbance spectrum of a tranexamic acid hydrogelprodrug after complete degradation in water.

FIG. 52 shows the drug release from a tranexamic acid hydrogel prodrugprepared using reaction scheme P3.

FIG. 53 shows the cytotoxicity of IgG hydrogel prodrug degradationproducts (Sample 1) and corresponding drug-free hydrogels (Sample 2) ascompared to the cytotoxicity of sodium azide. The bottom panel shows thecontrol sodium azide that was serially diluted as a cytotoxicity assaycontrol.

DEFINITIONS

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms usedherein, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art to which the invention pertains.

“About” as used herein, when referring to a measurable value is meant toencompass variations of ±20% or ±10%, more preferably ±5%, even morepreferably ±1%, and still more preferably ±0.1% from the specifiedvalue.

“Hydrogel prodrug,” as used herein, refers to a network of polymerchains that can be hydrophilic and comprises therapeutics. The polymerchains are cross-linked and be composed of materials that can bedegraded within a biological environment such as biodegradable polymers.Examples of polymers that can degrade within the body can include butare not limited to polyactides (PLA), polyglycolides (PGA), Poly(lactide-co-glycolides (PLGA), polyanhydrides and polyorthoesters. Inthe alternatives described herein, the hydrogel prodrug can comprisepolymer prodrugs that are cross-linked to one another.

“Drug” as described herein, refers to chemical substances orformulations used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis ofdisease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being. Inthe alternatives described herein, a drug is attached to a hydrogelprodrug for treatment. The drug can be a nucleic acid analogue, aminoester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic,statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portionthereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid,antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics,analgesics, antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the drug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin,doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof,insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir,tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, the drugcomprises a free primary amine or at least two secondary amine groups.In some alternatives, the drug comprises at least one primary amine, atleast two secondary amines, or a combination of one or more primaryamines and one or more secondary amines.

In some alternatives, the drug comprises nucleic acid analogues,tenofovir amino ester-based drugs, neurokinin 1 agonists, platinum-basedamine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, pregabalin, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoicacid derivatives, or proteins of any size, such as insulin or lysozyme,or antibodies or binding fragments thereof, such as IgG or bindingfragments thereof or hormone derivatives.

In some alternatives, the drug is a cancer therapeutic.

Without being limiting, the drug categories, which have been proven tobe compatible with the hydrogel prodrug technology described hereininclude nucleic acid analogues such as the antiviral medicationsacyclovir, ganciclovir, or tenofovir; amino ester-based drugs, such asthe anesthetics procaine or benzocaine; neurokinin 1 agonists such asthe antiemetic aprepitant; platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics such as cisplatin or oxaliplatin; anthracyclines suchas doxorubicin; γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs such as the seizureand pain medications gabapentin or pregabalin; amino acid derivatives,such as the synthetic lysine derivative anti-hemorrhage drug tranexamicacid; aminated benzoic acid derivatives, such as the anti-inflammatoryaspirin derivative 5-aminosalicylic acid; proteins of any size, such asinsulin or lysozyme, antibodies or binding fragments thereof, such asIgG or binding fragments thereof, or hormone derivatives; such as thesynthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine. In some alternatives of thehydrogel described herein, the drug is a nucleic acid analogue such asthe antiviral medication acyclovir, or ganciclovir, or tenofovir aminoester-based drugs, such as the anesthetics procaine or benzocaine;neurokinin 1 agonists such as the antiemetic aprepitant; platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin or oxaliplatin;anthracyclines such as doxorubicin; γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugssuch as the seizure and pain medications gabapentin or pregabalin; aminoacid derivatives, such as the synthetic lysine derivativeanti-hemorrhage drug tranexamic acid; aminated benzoic acid derivatives,such as the anti-inflammatory aspirin derivative 5-aminosalicylic acid;proteins of any size, such as insulin or lysozyme, antibodies or bindingfragments thereof, such as IgG or binding fragments thereof or hormonederivatives, such as the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine.

In some alternatives, the drugs for attachment to the hydrogel are fromgeneral drug families consisting of compounds containing a primary aminethat are compatible with the hydrogel prodrug technology and may bedelivered in a controlled manner using this technology. Without beinglimiting these drugs can include, antibiotics, amino acid derivatives,aminoglycosides, aureolic acids, aziridines, benzenoids, benzimidazoles,coumarin-glycosides, diphenyl ether derivatives,epipolythiodioxopiperazines, fatty acid derivatives, glucosamines,glycopeptides, imidazoles, indol derivatives, macrolactams, macrolides,nucleosides, beta-lactams, peptides, peptidyl nucleosides, phenicoles,polyenes, polyethers, pyridines, pyrimidines, quinolones,fluoroquinolones, statins, steroids, sulfonamides, taxoides,tetracyclines, statins, chemotherapeutics, alkylating agents, platinumdrugs, antimetabolites, cytotoxic antibiotics, topoisomerase inhibitors,mitotic inhibitors, corticosteroids, targeted enzyme inhibitors,antibody-drug conjugates, antibody fragments, protein fragments,oligopeptides, polypeptides, hormones, steroids, antipsychotics,anti-Alzheimer's drugs, cholesterol regulators, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors,psychostimulants or platelet aggregation inhibitors. In some of thealternatives of the hydrogel herein, the drug is doxorubicin, procaine,insulin or acyclovir.

In some alternatives of the hydrogel, the drug is an antibiotic. In somealternatives, the antibiotic is an amino acid derivatives,aminoglycosides, aureolic acids, aziridines, benzenoids, benzimidazoles,coumarin-glycosides, diphenyl ether derivatives,epipolythiodioxopiperazines, fatty acid derivatives, glucosamines,glycopeptides, imidazoles, indol derivatives, macrolactams, macrolides,nucleosides, beta-lactams, peptides, peptidyl nucleosides, phenicoles,polyenes, polyethers, pyridines and pyrimidines, quinolones andfluoroquinolones, statins, steroids, sulfonamides, taxoides, ortetracyclines.

“Protein” as described herein, refers to a biomolecule or macromoleculemade up of amino acid residues or a chain of peptides. A linear chain ofamino acid residues is called a polypeptide. In some alternativesdescribed herein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a protein. In somealternatives, the protein comprises a free primary amine or at least twosecondary amine groups to attach to the backbone of the hydrogelprodrug.

In some alternatives, the protein is insulin.

In some alternatives, the drug is aminated. Amination is the process bywhich an amine group is introduced into a molecule. This can be used toplace any drug into any one of the alternative hydrogels describedherein. Amination is a chemical reaction that can be appreciated bythose skilled in the art.

“Acrylate” as described herein, refers to salts, esters and conjugatebases of acrylic acid and its derivatives. They can also be referred toas propionates (since acrylic acid is also known as 2-propenoic acid).The acrylate ion has the molecular formula CH2═CHCOO—. Acrylatescomprise vinyl groups (a double bond), that is directly bound to acarbonyl carbon. Without being limiting, examples of monomeric acrylatescan include methacrylates, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate,2-Chloroethyl vinyl ether, 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate, hydroxyethylmethacrylate, butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate and TMPTA. Adiacrylate, as described herein, has two acrylate groups. Without beinglimiting, examples of diacrylates can include, for example, 1, 6Hexanediol Diacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethyleneglycol 400 diacrylate, dipropylene glycol diacrylate, 1,6 hexanedioldiacrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol) 250diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate (PEG400DA),poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethylene glycoldiacrylate (TEGDA) and diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). In somealternatives described herein, the acrylate used in manufacture of apolymer prodrug is methacrylates, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate,2-Chloroethyl vinyl ether, 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate, hydroxyethylmethacrylate, butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate and TMPTA. Adiacrylate, as described herein, has two acrylate groups. Without beinglimiting, examples of diacrylates can include, for example, 1, 6Hexanediol Diacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethyleneglycol 400 diacrylate, dipropylene glycol diacrylate, 1,6 hexanedioldiacrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol) 250diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate (PEG400DA),poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethylene glycoldiacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). In somealternatives, the acrylate is biodegradable.

“Acrylate group” or acryloyl group is a form of an enone with thestructure H₂C═CH—C(═O)—. It is an acyl group derived from acrylic acid.In some alternatives described herein, the acrylate comprises twoacrylate groups and is therefore a diacrylate. In some alternativesdescribed herein, the acrylate for manufacturing a polymer prodrug is adiacrylate. Diacrylates can include but is not limited to 1,3-Butanedioldiacrylate, 1,6-Hexanediol diacrylate, Bisphenol A ethoxylatediacrylate, Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, Ethylene glycoldiacrylate, 1,4-Butanediol diacrylate, Pentaerythritol diacrylatemonostearate, Glycerol 1,3Diglycerolate diacrylate, Poly(ethyleneglycol) diacrylate, Di(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, Neopentyl glycoldiacrylate, Tetra(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, Poly(propylene glycol)diacrylate, Tri(ethyleneglycol) diacrylate, Tri(propylene glycol)diacrylate, Bisphenol A glycerolate (1 glycerol/phenol) diacrylate,Tricyclo[5.2.1.0^(2,6)]decanedimethanol diacrylate, 1,6-Hexanediolethoxylate diacrylate, Fluorescein O,O′-diacrylate, Bisphenol Fethoxylate (2 EO/phenol) diacrylate, Neopentyl glycol propoxylate (1PO/OH) diacrylate, Poly(Disperse Red 19-p-phenylene diacrylate),Trimethylolpropane ethoxylate (1 EO/OH) methyl ether diacrylate,poly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol)400 diacrylate (PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate(PEG575DA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) and diethylene glycoldiacrylate (DEGDA). In some alternatives, the diacrylate is1,3-Butanediol diacrylate, 1,6-Hexanediol diacrylate, Bisphenol Aethoxylate diacrylate, Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, Ethylene glycoldiacrylate, 1,4-Butanediol diacrylate, Pentaerythritol diacrylatemonostearate, Glycerol 1,3Diglycerolate diacrylate, Poly(ethyleneglycol) diacrylate, Di(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, Neopentyl glycoldiacrylate, Tetra(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, Poly(propylene glycol)diacrylate, Tri(ethyleneglycol) diacrylate, Tri(propylene glycol)diacrylate, Bisphenol A glycerolate (1 glycerol/phenol) diacrylate,Tricyclo[5.2.1.0^(2,6)]decanedimethanol diacrylate, 1,6-Hexanediolethoxylate diacrylate, Fluorescein O,O′-diacrylate, Bisphenol Fethoxylate (2 EO/phenol) diacrylate, Neopentyl glycol propoxylate (1PO/OH) diacrylate, Poly(Disperse Red 19-p-phenylene diacrylate),Trimethylolpropane ethoxylate (1 EO/OH) methyl ether diacrylate,poly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol)400 diacrylate (PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate(PEG575DA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycoldiacrylate (DEGDA). In some alternatives, the diacrylate ispoly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol)400 diacrylate (PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate(PEG575DA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycoldiacrylate (DEGDA). In some alternatives, the acrylate comprises amolecular weight of 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000, 10000,g/mol, or any other molecular weight within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values.

“Primary amine group” as described herein, is when one of three hydrogenatoms in ammonia is replaced by an alkyl or aromatic. Important primaryalkyl amines can include but is not limited to methylamine, ethanolamine(2-aminoethanol) and primary aromatic amines which can include aniline.Primary amine groups can be seen in all amino acids with the exceptionof proline. Amino acids with side chains that comprise a primary aminecan include but is not limited to arginine, lysine, asparagine andglutamine. In some alternatives described herein, a drug can have atleast one primary amine group.

“Secondary amines” as described herein, have two organic substituents(alkyl, aryl or both) bound to nitrogen (N) together with one hydrogen(or no hydrogen if one of the substituent bonds is double). Withoutbeing limiting, secondary amines can be found in some amino acids, forexample, arginine, histidine, proline and tryptophan. In somealternatives described herein, a drug can have at least two secondaryamine groups.

“Polymerization” as described herein, refers to a reaction in whichmolecules are covalently bound together to form a network of polymerchains or a three dimensional network of polymer chains. In somealternatives described herein, methods are performed to manufacture apolymer prodrug or a hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the polymer prodrugcomprises polymerized drug to an acrylate molecule and the hydrogelprodrug comprises polymerized polymer prodrugs.

“Polymer prodrug” comprises a polymer carrier and a drug or prodrug. Theprodrug can comprise a drug that is biologically inactive compound thatcan be metabolized in the body to produce the active drug. The drug canbe a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics,anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acidderivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin,chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof,protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the prodrug comprises at least one acrylate that is boundto a drug or prodrug. The polymer prodrug can also more generally referto a drug incorporated into the backbone of a polymer, or attacheddirectly as a side group to a polymer, or attached via a linker as aside group to a polymer. The drug may be freed enzymatically orhydrolytically from the polymer and released in its original, unalteredstate, or it may be freed from the polymer in a modified, but stillbiologically active, state, for example, in soluble oligomeric form. Inseveral alternatives, the formulations are focused on the first example(backbone incorporated)—the other exemplary alternatives (directly orindirectly attached as a side group) are well-characterized and arecommonly used. In some alternatives, the prodrug is made by reacting anacrylate with at least one primary amine group or at least two secondaryamine groups of the drug in a polymerization reaction. An examplereaction is shown in FIG. 13.

“Cross-link” is a bond that can link one molecule to another or link apolymer chain to another chain or molecule. Cross-links can be foundbetween at least two polymer chains, at least two molecules, at leasttwo nucleic acids, at least two proteins or in combinations of theaforementioned groups described. In the alternatives described herein,the bond can be a covalent bond or an ionic bond. In some of thealternatives described herein, reactive groups that can participate incross-linking can include primary and secondary amine groups.

“Cross-linking” is a reaction in which polymers, proteins, molecules,nucleic acids or combinations of the aforementioned groups arecross-linked together. In polymer chemistry, a synthetic polymer can becross-linked to a drug, protein, nucleic acid, molecule, or any othertype of material known to those skilled in the art that comprises groupsthat allows the material to be cross-linked to the synthetic polymer.The cross-link density can also play a role in the mechanical propertiesof the polymer. As known to those skilled in the act, low cross-linkdensities can decrease the viscosity of a polymer or lead to a very“gummy” type of a polymer, intermediate cross-link density can lead to amaterial that has elastomeric properties and potentially high strength,and a high level of cross-links can lead to a more rigid type of apolymer.

A “catalyst” as described herein refers to a substance that increasesthe rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanentchemical change. In some alternatives described herein, thecross-linking is performed in the presence of a catalyst. In somealternatives, the catalyst is Tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED).

A “free radical initiator” is a substance that can promote theproduction of free radical species under mild conditions in order topromote a free radical reaction. Examples of free radical initiators caninclude but are not limited to 4,4′-Azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid),4,4′-Azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid), 1,1′-Azobis(cyclohexanecarbonitrile),azobisisobutyronitrile, 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine)dihydrochloride granular, 2,2′-Azobis(2-methylpropionitrile),2,2′-Azobis(2-methylpropionitrile), smmonium persulfate reagent grade,hydroxymethanesulfinic acid monosodium salt dehydrate, potassiumpersulfate, sodium persulfate, tert-Butyl hydroperoxide, tert-Butylhydroperoxide, tert-Butyl hydroperoxide, tert-Butyl peracetate, cumenehydroperoxide, 2,5-Di(tert-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-3-hexyne,2,5-Di(tert-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-3-hexyne, dicumyl peroxide,Luperox® 101, 2,5-Bis(tert-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethylhexane technicalgrade, Luperox® 101XL45, 2,5-Bis(tert-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethylhexane,Luperox® 224, 2,4-Pentanedione peroxide solution ˜34 wt. % in4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, Luperox® 231,1,1-Bis(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, Luperox® 331M80,1,1-Bis(tert-butylperoxy)cyclohexane, Luperox® 531M80,1,1-Bis(tert-amylperoxy)cyclohexane solution, Luperox® A70S, Benzoylperoxide, Luperox® A75, Benzoyl peroxide 75%, Luperox® A75FP, Benzoylperoxide, Luperox® A98, Benzoyl peroxide, Luperox® AFR40, Benzoylperoxide, Luperox® ATC50, Benzoyl peroxide, Luperox® DDM-9, 2-Butanoneperoxide solution ˜35 wt. % in 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanedioldiisobutyrate, Luperox® DHD-9, 2-Butanone peroxide solution, Luperox®DI, tert-Butyl peroxide, Luperox® LP, Lauroyl peroxide, Luperox® P,tert-Butyl peroxybenzoate, Luperox® TBEC, tert-Butylperoxy 2-ethylhexylcarbonate, and Luperox® TBH70X, tert-Butyl hydroperoxide solution. Insome alternatives described herein, the method for making a hydrogelprodrug comprises providing a free radical initiator. In somealternatives, the free radical initiator is 4,4′-Azobis(4-cyanovalericacid), 4,4′-Azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid),1,1′-Azobis(cyclohexanecarbonitrile), azobisisobutyronitrile,2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride granular,2,2′-Azobis(2-methylpropionitrile), 2,2′-Azobis(2-methylpropionitrile),smmonium persulfate reagent grade, hydroxymethanesulfinic acidmonosodium salt dehydrate, potassium persulfate, sodium persulfate,tert-Butyl hydroperoxide, tert-Butyl hydroperoxide, tert-Butylhydroperoxide, tert-Butyl peracetate, cumene hydroperoxide,2,5-Di(tert-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-3-hexyne,2,5-Di(tert-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-3-hexyne, dicumyl peroxide,Luperox® 101, 2,5-Bis(tert-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethylhexane technicalgrade, Luperox® 101XL45, 2,5-Bis(tert-butylperoxy)-2,5-dimethylhexane,Luperox® 224, 2,4-Pentanedione peroxide solution ˜34 wt. % in4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, Luperox® 231,1,1-Bis(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, Luperox® 331M80,1,1-Bis(tert-butylperoxy)cyclohexane, Luperox® 531M80,1,1-Bis(tert-amylperoxy)cyclohexane solution, Luperox® A70S, Benzoylperoxide, Luperox® A75, Benzoyl peroxide 75%, Luperox® A75FP, Benzoylperoxide, Luperox® A98, Benzoyl peroxide, Luperox® AFR40, Benzoylperoxide, Luperox® ATC50, Benzoyl peroxide, Luperox® DDM-9, 2-Butanoneperoxide solution ˜35 wt. % in 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanedioldiisobutyrate, Luperox® DHD-9, 2-Butanone peroxide solution, Luperox®DI, tert-Butyl peroxide, Luperox® LP, Lauroyl peroxide, Luperox® P,tert-Butyl peroxybenzoate, Luperox® TBEC, tert-Butylperoxy 2-ethylhexylcarbonate, Luperox® TBH70X, tert-Butyl hydroperoxide solution orammonium persulfate (APS). In some alternatives, the free radicalinitiator is APS. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is alight-activated free radical initiator. In some alternatives, thelight-activated free radical initiator is DMPA.

“Heteroatom” as described herein, refers to an atom that is not a carbonor a hydrogen that is within a ring structure. Without being limiting,typical heteroatoms can be nitrogen, oxygen, Sulphur, phosphorus,chlorine, bromine and iodine. However, in a describing a protein, aheteroatom can be an atom bellowing to a small molecule cofactor ratherthan being part of the biopolymer or protein chain.

“Unsaturated carbon-carbon bond” refers to carbon-carbon double ortriple bonds which can be found, for example, in alkenes or alkynes,respectively. “Saturated carbon-carbon bond” refers to a carbon-carbonbond in which the carbons are held together by single bonds.

“Chemical spacer” can serve as a spacer group within a hydrogel prodrug.In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a spacer or spacergroup. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer comprises at least onefree primary amine group or at least one secondary amine group, wherein,the chemical spacer is a spacer in the backbone structure of thehydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer comprises atleast two secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the chemicalspacer comprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least primary amine group of the chemical spacer orat least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer is attached toa carbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprise 1, 5,10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number of carbon atoms within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the carbon chain comprises substituted heterocarbons,unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds, unsaturated carbonbonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/or unbranched cyclic carbonchains. In some alternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbonchains are saturated. In some alternatives, the branched or unbranchedcyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In some alternatives, the branchedor unbranched cyclic carbon chains comprise heteroatoms. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer is added to the at least one acrylateprior to reacting the at least one drug with the at least one acrylate,thereby forming a polymer spacer. In some alternatives, the chemicalspacer comprises one or more primary amines, two or more secondary aminegroups, or a combination of primary and secondary amines.

“Subject” or “patient,” as described herein, refers to any organism uponwhich the alternatives described herein may be used or administered,e.g., for experimental diagnostic, prophylactic, and/or therapeuticpurposes. Subjects or patients include, for example, animals. In somealternatives, the subject is mice, rats, rabbits, non-human primates,and humans. In some alternatives, the subject is a cow, sheep, pig,horse, dog, cat primate or a human. In some alternatives, the subject ishuman. In some alternatives, the subject is suffering from a disease,such as cancer.

“Specific” or “Specificity” can refer to the characteristic of a ligandfor the binding partner or alternatively, the binding partner for theligand, and can include complementary shape, charge and hydrophobicspecificity for binding. Specificity for binding can includestereospecificity, regioselectivity and chemoselectivity. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug further comprises a targeting moiety.The targeting moiety can be incorporated into or linked to the hydrogelprodrug. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for atissue or a cell that is in need of treatment. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a ligand on an organ, tissue or a cell.In some alternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a surfaceprotein that is expressed during manifestation of a disease. In somealternatives, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease, a neurologicaldisease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or a cancer antigen. In somealternatives, the tumor is a solid tumor. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a ligand on a tumor. In somealternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a cancer antigen. Insome alternatives, the cancer antigen is EGFR, HER2, Mesothelin, cancertestis antigens, LlCAM, o-acetylated GD2, GD2, neoantigens, Var2,glypican-2 (GPC2), HPV antigens, alphafetoprotein, carcinoembryonicantigen, CA-125, MUC-1, epithelial tumor antigen, abnormal products ofras or p53, EphA2, MAGE-A3, MAGE-A4, MAGE-C2, PRAME, SSX2, adipophilin,AIM2, ALDH1A1, BCLX, EpCAM, CS274, CPSF, cyclin D1, DKK1, ENAH, EpCAM,EphA3, EZH2, FGF5, glypican-3, G250, HLA-DOB, Hepsin, ID01, IGF2B3,IL13Ralpha2, Intestinal carboxylesterase, alpha-foetoprotein,kallikrein4, KIF20A, Lengsin, M-CSF, MCSP, mdm-2, Meloe, midkine, MMP-2,MMP-7, MUC1, MUC5AC, p53, PAX5, PBF, PRAME, PSMA, RAGE-1, RGS5, RhoC,RNF43, RUF43, FU2AS, secernin 1, SOX10, STEAP1, survivin, telomerase,TPBG, VEGF, WT1, NY-ESO-1 or ROR1. In some alternatives, the targetingmoiety comprises a protein or portion thereof. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety comprises an antibody or portion thereof. In somealternatives, the targeting moiety comprises a small chain variablefragment (ScFv).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The alternatives described herein are directed to hydrogel prodrugs forthe controlled release of therapeutics. The hydrogel prodrugs describedherein can have drugs or prodrugs synthesized into a flexible hydrogelpolymer material, which can come with multiple benefits. The hydrogelprodrug manufactured by the alternatives described herein, can then belocalized to a particular treatment site and at very precise dosages. Inthe alternatives described herein, the preferred alternatives have azero order drug release kinetic, which indicates that there is aconstant therapeutic dosage which is not seen in drugs that arecontinuously given at intervals such as a pill, capsule or an injectionor other currently known therapeutics on the market. Furthermore, thesystems described herein can be flexible to use, easier to manufacture,and is shelf-stable in mild conditions.

Drug delivery systems have improved the delivery of drugs over time. Asshown in FIG. 1, is a comparison of drug release kinetics over time inwhich a drug regimen is compared with a drug system with controlledrelease. As shown, the “bolus dose” curve indicates the kinetics of abasic pill or of an injection. The “controlled release” curveillustrates a generic drug delivery system. The curve for the bolus drugindicates that there is an initial burst of drug being released soonafter the first dose. In this example, the levels of drug within thissystem can reach a toxic level before being quickly metabolized. Thiscyclic release and metabolism of the bolus drug can be seen with thesecond and the third dose. Regarding the drug delivery system, after thefirst initial dosage, the drug can be released in a controlled mannersuch that over time, the drug is within the biological system at a levelthat is above the therapeutic minimum and is below the toxic maximum. Inthe alternatives described herein, the hydrogel prodrug is designed tohave improved release characteristics that allow release of the drug inwhich the concentrations of the drug is above the therapeutic minimumand below the toxic maximum.

The problem with today's drug delivery by capsule or injections haveshown that there can be a spike in the concentration of the drug thatthen leads to a sustained release in which the drug concentration in theplasma goes down with time (plasma concentration vs. time) (See FIG. 2).As shown, most drug delivery systems are directed towards sustainedrelease, in which there is an initial spike of drug in the plasma thatslowly decreases in concentration over time. However in the alternativesdescribed herein, the preferred release of the drug has zero orderrelease kinetics, in which the drug is gradually released at a constantset dosage for a specific amount of time.

There are many barriers of the previously used polymeric drug deliverysystems. There is a strong initial drug burst (dosage is “frontloaded”), nonlinear release kinetics (FIG. 2), lack of materialbiocompatibility as well as degradation concerns. In to improve theseexisting systems, the alternatives described herein have beenmanufactured to have a zero initial burst and constant release rate ofthe drug.

In order to sustain the release of the drug at a constant concentration,the drugs are made to be an essential part of the material backbone ofthe hydrogel prodrug, in which the drug release and the polymerdegradation occurs at the same time. In some existing release systems,the drugs are trapped within a polymer structure. This can lead to adrug release rate that is at a different rate than the polymerdegradation. As such the polymer may remain when the drug release iscomplete. In order to synchronize the rates of drug release and polymerdegradation, in the alternatives provided herein, the drugs are anessential part of the polymer backbone. Thus drug release and polymerdegradation occurs simultaneously.

Previous existing systems of drug release polymers were also processedin methods that required multiple polymer processing steps, hightemperatures, harsh solvents and detergents. Multiple processing canlead to production of byproducts which require extensive purificationsteps which can lead to loss of drug as well as product. Reactionconditions that require high temperatures, harsh solvents, or detergentscan negatively impact drug activity or biocompatibility of the material.Furthermore, some systems also have the step of drug encapsulation whichcan lead to drug being lost during each processing step. Additionally,additives, such as plasticizers can also be required in older drugrelease systems.

In the alternatives described herein, the methods for making thehydrogel prodrug compositions have a one-step drug polymer synthesis. Asthere is little to no byproducts formed, there is no need forpurification in some alternatives. The one step synthesis also leads tothe drug being incorporated during the one step polymerization andcross-linking into the desired geometry.

The existing systems also have the disadvantage in that themicroarchitecture and molecular geometry could be a limiting factor. Forexample, each dosage form requires extensive and specific processingconditions. Unfortunately the same polymer used to form microparticles,for example, may not be suitable to make thin films or other forms ofthe drug. In the alternatives, described herein, the hydrogel prodrugand hydrogel prodrug compositions are soft flexible materials that canbe cast into any shape. Without being limiting the hydrogel prodrugcompositions can be in the form of thin flexible films, implants,microparticles and pills.

The use of a hydrogel prodrug formulation as described herein canexhibit zero-order release kinetics, which would keep the drug at asteady concentration in a subject that is being treated.

PBAE Structures General Structure of the Polymer Backbone

Poly(beta amino ester)s (PBAEs) is a class of polymers. A general PBAEstructure is shown in FIG. 3.

In some alternatives, when there is only one amine and one diacrylate,the copolymer that is synthesized is an alternating copolymer.

However, in some alternatives, wherein there are multiple amines anddiacrylates (this is the case for several working alternatives andformulations described herein), there can be some degree of randomnesswhen it comes to the exact sequence of amines and diacrylates. This istypical of these types of polymers, and is not central to the technologyunless there is evidence that controlling the periodicity of themonomers provides some benefit. A general structure of a periodic (notrandom) PBAE containing two diacrylates and one amine is shown in FIG.4.

PBAEs containing two amines and one diacrylate are likely to adopt arandom sequence. Conceivably, PBAEs containing two amines and twodiacrylates, or even greater numbers of each component, can besynthesized. Figures for these higher-order polymers are not included,because the complexity of the structures becomes immense very quicklydue to the potential number of permutations.

In some alternatives, PBAEs containing two amines (one of which is anamine-containing drug), and one or two diacrylates are provided. In somealternatives, formulations can also be synthesized using additionalamines and diacrylates in order to incorporate additional drugs ormodulate the physical or chemical properties of the material. Thesehigher order polymers would thus permit a single formulation to releasemultiple drugs at the same rate. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug comprises multiple drugs wherein the drugs are released at thesame rate. The amine containing drug will be part of the backbone of thehydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives, the drug is incorporated intothe backbone of the hydrogel prodrug.

It is also envisioned that two separate polymer prodrugs can be created,in which each polymer prodrug contains its own drug and is formulated torelease a drug at a certain rate, and then blending these two polymerprodrugs together to create a mixture that is subsequently cross-linked.This is distinct from directly synthesizing a copolymer, because thefinal hydrogel will contain two (or more, depending on the number ofpolymers mixed) distinct regions, each with its own characteristicdegradation rate. This would permit a single formulation to releasemultiple drugs at distinct rates.

In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction. anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, orpsychostimulants, platelet aggregation inhibitors, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine and tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the drug isacyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin,ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine,oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, the protein is insulin orlysozyme.

Cross-Linking the Polymer into a Hydrogel Prodrug

In some alternatives, the polymer prodrug can be cross-linked within amold. As shown in FIG. 5, is a drug cross-linked into a hydrogel prodrugin the shape of a cone, in this exemplary alternative, it is tranexamicacid cross-linked into a conical shaped polymer (FIG. 5). The hydrogelprodrugs can swell in water and are biodegradable. The degradation iscontrolled by altering the material chemistry. In the alternativesdescribed herein, the hydrogels synthesized are made entirely frommarket-available drugs and FDA approved material. As such, there are notoxic ingredients or by-products. Physically the material is soft,flexible and able to be manufactured into any desired shape, such as aflat sheet, pill, implant or microparticles. In terms of scale, theseparticular samples can be smaller than the head of a pencil, but 1 thesize and shape can be easily controlled. These hydrogel prodrugs can bemade from market-available drugs and FDA approved material. As suchthere are no toxic ingredients or toxic byproducts.

As shown in FIG. 6, the hydrogel prodrug can be made into amicroparticle formulation. Hydrogel prodrugs can be ground intomicroparticles capable of being suspended in aqueous solutions andinjected. As seen in the micrograph FIG. 6, particles range in size fromless than 10 microns to 200-300 microns in diameter.

In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction drugs, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, orpsychostimulants, platelet aggregation inhibitors, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine and tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the drug isacyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin,ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine,oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a protein. In some alternatives the protein is lysozyme orinsulin.

Co-Polymerization of Mesalamine with a Polymer

A hydrogel prodrug was manufactured to contain mesalamine, a commonlyused anti-inflammatory. The mesalamine polymer was synthesized by firstdissolving 500 mg of the drug mesalamine (about 3.3 mmol) in 2 mL of thespacer chemical isobutylamine (1472 mg, about 20.1 mmol). Thus, thetotal quantity of amines is about 23.4 mmol. Then, this solution wasadded to one of the following diacrylates or diacrylate mixtures,depending on the formulation. For faster-degrading hydrogel prodrugs,the amine solution was added to 16 g PEG575DA (about 27.8 mmol). Forslower-degrading hydrogel prodrug, the amine solution was added to amixture of 5.3 g PEG575DA (about 9.3 mmol) and 3.96 g DEGDA (about 18.5mmol). The amine-diacrylate mixture was vortexed until the aminesolution was fully dissolved in the diacrylate. This solution wasreacted at 75° C. in a covered vial under constant stirring for 48 hoursto polymerize, resulting in an acrylate-terminated mesalamine polymerprodrug containing a molar ratio of 1.2:1 diacrylate:amine. Thismesalamine polymer prodrug was stored at 4° C. until use. To create amesalamine hydrogel prodrug, 500 mg of mesalamine polymer prodrug wasweighed. Relative to the mass of polymer prodrug, 3% APS (15 mg) wasdissolved in 150 μL DMSO. Relative to the mass of polymer prodrug, 4.5%TEMED (22.5 mg, 28.976 uL) was added to the APS solution and vortexed tothoroughly mix. Then, this mixture was added to the 500 mg of mesalaminepolymer prodrug, and was thoroughly mixed. This mixture was placed in abath sonicator for 15 minutes, and then allowed to cross-link for 24hours. The cross-linking reaction produced mesalamine hydrogel prodrug,which was washed serially in ethanol to remove unreacted components andthe soluble fraction, and then dried thoroughly and stored in dryconditions. As shown in FIG. 7A, is a wavelength scan to find theabsorbance of mesalamine alone in order to detect mesalamine in ahydrogel prodrug. Mesalamine was dissolved in isobutylamine (200 mg/mL)and diluted in water (2 mg/mL) to mimic supernatant collected in releasestudies, and this solution exhibited a characteristic spectrum (left)with a local maximum at 330 nm. The optical absorbance of mesalaminefollowed the Beer-Lambert law in the working range of <300 ug/mL, so alinear standard curve at 330 nm (right) was used to calculate drugconcentration for release studies.

As shown in FIG. 8, the peaks for the polymeric prodrug and drugoverlap, indicating that the drug is incorporated into the polymericprodrug (hydrogel prodrug). As a control, the drug free polymer isshown, and does not have a high absorbance at 330 nm.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the hydrogel prodrug can be designed torelease mesalamine for a short term or long term treatment. As shown inFIG. 9A-9B, Mesalamine hydrogel prodrugs were formulated to releasemesalamine for 10 hours (VS34, left), or for 2 days (VS35, right).Release studies were conducted by immersing 500 mg hydrogel prodrugsamples in 10 mL water at 37 C with constant gentle shaking, andsampling the supernatant at intervals with replacement of the sampledvolume. For each formulation, the same reaction conditions were used,and only the chemical nature of the diacrylate was varied. Bothformulations exhibited zero-order release, and the completion of drugrelease coincided with the complete degradation (no visible materialremaining) of the hydrogel. As shown, the co-polymerized mesalamine hada near-linear release of drugs over hours and days as desired. PEG575DAis a more hydrophilic molecule than DEGDA, owing to its higher number ofethylene glycol repeat units, and therefore hydrogels containing ahigher PEG575DA content tend to degrade more quickly than those with ahigher DEGDA content. The degradation time can be extended by increasingthe DEGDA:PEG575DA ratio, which decreases the hydrophilicity of thepolymer and therefore delays hydrolytic cleavage of ester bonds in thepolymer backbone. Conceivably, any number of diacrylates can be usedindividually or combined in place of the diacrylates used in theseformulations in order to customize the degradation and drug releasekinetics of these hydrogel prodrugs. In addition to the hydrophilicityof the diacrylate, the size of the molecule is inversely related tocrosslink density, which means shorter diacrylate molecules will lead tomore densely crosslinked hydrogel prodrugs. Densely crosslinked hydrogelprodrugs conceivably degrade more slowly than loosely crosslinkedhydrogel prodrugs.

In some alternatives, the degradation time of the hydrogel prodrug isextended by manufacturing a hydrogel prodrug with an increasedhydrophobic content. In some alternatives, the hydrophobic content ofthe hydrogel prodrug is increased by addition of DEGDA during thepolymerization reaction or the cross-linking reaction. In somealternatives, the hydrophobic content of the hydrogel prodrug isincreased by addition of excess diacrylate. In some alternatives, thehydrophobic content of the hydrogel prodrug is increased by addition ofexcess diacrylate which can lead to a prolonged release of the drug.

Co-Polymerization of Tranexamic Acid with a Polymer

A hydrogel prodrug was manufactured to contain tranexamic acid, acommonly used anti-fibrinolytic used to prevent hemorrhage. A tranexamicacid polymer was synthesized by first dissolving 75 mg of the drugtranexamic acid (about 0.48 mmol) in 500 μL of deionized water. To thissolution, 440 μL of the spacer chemical isobutylamine (324 mg, about 4.4mmol) was added. Thus, the total quantity of amines is about 4.48 mmol.Then, this solution was added to one of the following diacrylates ordiacrylate mixtures, depending on the formulation. For faster-degradinghydrogel prodrugs, the amine solution was added to 3.1 g PEG575DA (about5.4 mmol). For slower-degrading hydrogel prodrug, the amine solution wasadded to a mixture of 1 g PEG575DA (about 1.8 mmol) and 771.1 g DEGDA(about 3.6 mmol). The amine-diacrylate mixture was vortexed until theamine solution was fully dissolved in the diacrylate. This solution wasreacted at 70 C in a covered vial under constant stirring for 48 hoursto polymerize, resulting in an acrylate-terminated tranexamic acidpolymer prodrug containing a molar ratio of 1.2:1 diacrylate:amine. Thistranexamic acid polymer prodrug was stored at 4 C until use. To create amesalamine hydrogel prodrug, 500 mg of tranexamic acid polymer prodrugwas weighed. Relative to the mass of polymer prodrug, 3% APS (15 mg) wasdissolved in 150 μL DMSO. Relative to the mass of polymer prodrug, 4.5%TEMED (22.5 mg, 28.976 uL) was added to the APS solution and vortexed tothoroughly mix. Then, this mixture was added to the 500 mg of tranexamicacid polymer prodrug, and was thoroughly mixed. This mixture was placedin a bath sonicator for 15 minutes, and then allowed to cross-link for24 hours. The cross-linking reaction produced mesalamine hydrogelprodrug, which was washed serially in ethanol to remove unreactedcomponents and the soluble fraction, and then dried thoroughly andstored in dry conditions. FIGS. 10A and 10B shows a wavelength scan oftranexamic acid from a hydrogel and a hydrogel without any drug as acontrol. As shown, tranexamic acid polymers exhibited a characteristicspectrum (FIG. 10A) distinct from drug-free polymers using the sameacrylate and spacer. The optical absorption of tranexamic acid polymerfollowed the Beer-Lambert law in the working range of <30 mg/mL, so alinear standard curve at 305 nm (FIG. 10B) was used to calculate drugconcentration for release studies.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, use of the formulations of hydrogelprodrug herein, lead to a drug release system that can allow non-linearrelease of a drug over several hours. In an exemplary alternativedescribed herein, tranexamic acid, an antibifrinolytic used to preventhemorrhaging was cross linked to a polymer backbone, to make a hydrogelprodrug containing tranexamic acid. The hydrogel prodrug demonstrated anear linear release of drug for over 4 hours. Alternatively, atranexamic acid hydrogel prodrug was formulated using a formulation thatdiffered only by increasing the DEGDA content of the diacrylate from 0%to 66.6%, and resulted in linear release of drug over 20 hours. Releasestudies were conducted by immersing 500 mg hydrogel prodrug samples in10 mL water at 37 C with constant gentle shaking, and sampling thesupernatant at intervals with replacement of the sampled volume.

PEG575DA is a more hydrophilic molecule than DEGDA, owing to its highernumber of ethylene glycol repeat units, and therefore hydrogelscontaining a higher PEG575DA content tend to degrade more quickly thanthose with a higher DEGDA content. The degradation time can be extendedby increasing the DEGDA:PEG575DA ratio, which decreases thehydrophilicity of the polymer and therefore delays hydrolytic cleavageof ester bonds in the polymer backbone. Conceivably, any number ofdiacrylates can be used individually or combined in place of thediacrylates used in these formulations in order to customize thedegradation and drug release kinetics of these hydrogel prodrugs. Inaddition to the hydrophilicity of the diacrylate, the size of themolecule is inversely related to crosslink density, which means shorterdiacrylate molecules will lead to more densely crosslinked hydrogelprodrugs. Densely crosslinked hydrogel prodrugs conceivably degrade moreslowly than loosely crosslinked hydrogel prodrugs.

In some alternatives, the degradation time of the hydrogel prodrug isextended by manufacturing a hydrogel prodrug with an increasedhydrophobic content. In some alternatives, the hydrophobic content ofthe hydrogel prodrug is increased by addition of DEGDA during thepolymerization reaction or the cross-linking reaction. In somealternatives, the hydrophobic content of the hydrogel prodrug isincreased by addition of excess diacrylate. In some alternatives, thehydrophobic content of the hydrogel prodrug is increased by addition ofexcess diacrylate which can lead to a prolonged release of the drug.

As shown in FIG. 12A-12B, the two graphs, FIG. 12A-12B show release oftranexamic acid using two delivery systems typical of those used in themarket or in development today. Critical to note is that they appearmore logarithmic than linear, indicating a gradual decrease in dosagelevel. FIG. 12A shows the leakage rates of tranexamic acid in anencapsulated liposome formulation over a 24 hour period (J Cosmet Sci.2002 November-December; 53(6):375-86; included by reference in itsentirety herein). FIG. 12B shows the release of tranexamic acid in anadmixed hydrogel formulation in less than a 4 hour delivery time period(J Cosmet Sci. 2007; May-June; 58(3): 215-227; included by reference inits entirety herein). In both experiments, the two formulations rapidlyapproach a delivery level that is less than 100% of the drug in thedelivery system sample. Both formulations release the drug slower andslower over time, indicating that the dose is changing. Neither of thesestudies demonstrated a 100% drug release, because the degradation timeof the delivery system and drug release were not connected.

These types of problems are solved with the alternative hydrogelprodrugs described herein. In the alternatives provided, the hydrogelprodrug demonstrated control over longer term (weeks-months)drug-release kinetics. Ongoing experiments were focused on testingprolonged release (1-7 days) tranexamic acid hydrogels and extendedrelease (1-2 weeks) formulations for each drug. As other drug candidatesare fine-tuned, these can also be included in the manufacture of thehydrogel prodrug which is expected to have longer time-release kineticsas well.

In the alternative hydrogel prodrugs provided herein, the hydrogelprodrug showed a controlled release over an extended time period. Thecontrolled release of the hydrogel prodrug was a zero-order controlledrelease. The control release of the hydrogel prodrug is important formaintaining constant and consistent drug levels in the target tissues orthe cells of the subject that is being treated. As such, the controlledrelease allows the release of a drug into its environment at a rate thatis constant even as the concentration of the drug in its environmentdecreases. In some alternatives, the extended period of time in whichthe drug is released is at least or equal to 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 14days, 30 days, 60 days, 120 days or 240 days or any number of dayswithin a range in between any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the extended period of time is at least or equal to 3days, 5 days, 7 days, 14 days, 30 days or 60 days or any number of dayswithin a range in between any two aforementioned values.

The hydrogel prodrugs provided herein demonstrated proof of concept forlonger-term (weeks to months) drug release. For example, hydrogelprodrugs were formulated to have prolonged release (1-7 days) fortranexamic acid. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isformulated to release tranexamic acid for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, or 7 days or any number of days in between a range defined byany two aforementioned values. Hydrogel prodrugs with tranexamic acidand mesalamine were also formulated to have sustained release (1-2weeks). In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated torelease tranexamic acid or mesalamine for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 9. 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 days or any number of days inbetween a range defined by any two aforementioned values. Furtherexperimentation also indicated short term (hours) and prolonged (1-7days) release for additional drug candidates. In some alternatives, thehydrophobic content of the hydrogel prodrug is increased by addition ofexcess diacrylate which can lead to a prolonged release of the drug.

The hydrogel prodrugs manufactured by the alternatives describeddemonstrated controlled biodegradation as well as controlledbioactivity. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugs mass loss wascorrelated with the drug release indicating that the drug release wasoccurred concurrently with the bulk polymer degradation. Furtherexperimentation showed that one could monitor molecular weights andidentify chemical structure of the released species, which would allowone to characterize what forms the drug and polymer linkers are takingas they are released. Measurement of the bioactivity of the releaseddrugs also proves that the drugs maintain their therapeutic qualitiesafter being released from the hydrogel prodrug formulation.

Modified Geometry Development

The hydrogel prodrug of the alternatives described herein demonstrate aphysical flexibility which will allow the drug to be tailored forspecific applications that call for unique release durations. Modifyingthe geometry of the hydrogel prodrug can demonstrate that these hydrogelprodrugs can be made into any 3D shape. Without being limiting, thesehydrogel prodrugs can be created into thin films that can be laid on topof wounds or at a surgical site such as wound dressings for delivery ofmultiple drugs. Similarly these thin strips can be modified into a formlike Listerine Pocketpacks® strips which can be used for localantibiotic or pain-relief delivery after a dental or medical procedure.In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug can be in the form of amicroparticle or an implant. The microparticles can be injectable into avariety of tissues, which the implants can be for subcutaneous use or asa surgical implant at a specific treatment site. In some alternatives,the hydrogel prodrug is a microparticle. In some alternatives, themicroparticle is for injections. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug is an implant. In some alternatives, a bioadhesive is used withthe hydrogel prodrug or hydrogel prodrug system.

In some alternatives, excipients are used with the hydrogel prodrug orhydrogel prodrug system when they are used in injections, for example.In some alternatives, the excipient is a sugar, lactose, sucrose,mannitol, sorbitol, cellulose preparations of maize starch, wheatstarch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, gum tragacanth, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose,water, saline, dextrose, mannitol, lactose, lecithin, albumin, sodiumglutamate, cysteine hydrochloride, and the like. In addition, ifdesired, the injectable pharmaceutical formulations can contain minoramounts of nontoxic auxiliary substances, such as wetting agents, pHbuffering agents, and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).

For injection, the hydrogel prodrugs can be formulated in solutions,preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hanks'solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological saline buffer. For suchtransmucosal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to bepermeated are used with the system. Such penetrants are generally knownin the art. Use of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers to formulate theingredients herein disclosed for the practice of the invention intodosages suitable for systemic administration is within the scope of theinvention. With proper choice of carrier and suitable manufacturingpractice, the hydrogel prodrug disclosed herein, in particular, thoseformulated for intravenous injection of hydrogel prodrug microparticles.

Additionally, suspensions of the active ingredients can be prepared asappropriate oily injection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents orvehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or other organic oilssuch as soybean, grapefruit or almond oils, or synthetic fatty acidesters, such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or liposomes. Aqueousinjection suspensions can contain substances which increase theviscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose,sorbitol, or dextran. Optionally, the suspension can also containsuitable stabilizers or agents that increase the solubility of theingredients to allow for the preparation of highly concentratedsolutions. In some alternatives, the vehicle for the hydrogel prodrugmicroparticles for injection comprises lipophilic solvent, fatty oil,organic oil, or liposome. In some alternatives, the vehicle is sesameoil, soybean, grapefruit or almond oils, or synthetic fatty acid esters,such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or liposomes.

The hydrogel prodrug can comprise a backbone that can support attachmentof therapeutics and drugs. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics,anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acidderivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin,chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof,protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a chemotherapeutic, ananti-viral, an anti-HIV antiviral, and anti-AIDS antiviral, painmedications, antibiotics, immunosuppressant, steroid, hormone, peptide,protein or an analgesic. In some alternatives, the at least one drug isa nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist,platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines,γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminatedbenzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction. anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, orpsychostimulants, platelet aggregation inhibitors, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine and tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir.

In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises pregabalin,glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine, sitagliptin, celecoxib,emtricitabine, sitagliptin, celecoxib, emtricitabine, tenofovir,valsartan, hydrochlorothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, memantine, pemetrexed,fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives,the drug is for treatment of a neurological disorder, multiplesclerosis, diabetes, high blood pressure or Alzheimer's. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is an HIV antiviral, a Cox-2inhibitor, a chemotherapeutic or a psychostimulant. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a nucleic acid analogue,amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir.

In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction. anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, orpsychostimulants, platelet aggregation inhibitors, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine and tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the drug isacyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin,ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine,oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or5-aminosalicylic acid.

Formulations for Injection

The hydrogel polymers described herein can be used for injection of thedrug into tissue in need of therapy, or as just an injectable drug.Hydrogel prodrugs can be ground into microparticles that are capable ofbeing suspended in aqueous solutions and injected. As shown in FIG. 6,the microparticles can range in size from less than 10 microns to 200 to300 microns in diameter. In some alternatives a hydrogel prodrugdelivery system is provided. The hydrogel prodrug can be manufactured byanyone of the alternative methods described herein. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is ground into microparticles and issuspended in an aqueous solution for injection. In some alternatives,the microparticle comprises a diameter of at least or equal to 1, 5, 10,20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200 or 300 microns or any otherdiameter within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values.

The microparticles can be prepared by wet grinding, high pressurehomogenization and combinations thereof.

The manufacture of the injectable must meet sterile conditions which caninclude heat sterilization, chemical sterilization, filter sterilizationand irradiation.

The microparticle can be prepared into an injectable formulation for thecontrolled release of the drug(s) into the surrounding tissue or media.The microparticles can then release the drug over an extended period oftime in a manner to produce a constant level of drug in a subject. Themicroparticles are to be biodegradable and biocompatible.

The microparticles can be administered to a subject in need wherein themicroparticles are suspended in an aqueous solution either by injection(intravenously, subcutaneously or intramuscularly). The aqueous solutioncan be a pharmaceutically acceptable suspending medium to suspend themicroparticles. In some alternatives, the pharmaceutically acceptablesuspending medium is sterile water, phosphate buffered saline, or asolution of caboxymethylcellulose. In some alternatives, thepharmaceutically acceptable medium comprises hyaluronic acid orderivative thereof. In some alternatives, the hyaluronic acid orderivative thereof is dissolved in physiological saline. In somealternatives, the pharmaceutically acceptable medium comprises anisotonic agent, and optionally, an anti-oxidant. In some alternativesthe isotonic agent is sodium chloride or mannitol.

In some alternatives, the drug for injection within a hydrogel comprisesnucleic acid analogues, tenofovir amino ester-based drugs, neurokinin 1agonists, platinum-based amine-containing chemotherapeutics,anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, pregabalin, aminoacid derivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, proteins of anysize, such as insulin or lysozyme, or antibodies or binding fragmentsthereof, such as IgG or binding fragments thereof or hormonederivatives.

In some alternatives, the drug for injection within a hydrogel is acancer therapeutic.

Without being limiting, the drug categories which have been proven to becompatible with this new hydrogel prodrug technology for injectionincludes nucleic acid analogues such as the antiviral medicationsacyclovir, or ganciclovir, or tenofovir, amino ester-based drugs, suchas the anesthetics procaine or benzocaine, neurokinin 1 agonists such asthe antiemetic aprepitant, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics such as cisplatin or oxaliplatin, anthracyclines suchas doxorubicin, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs such as the seizureand pain medications gabapentin or pregabalin, amino acid derivatives,such as the synthetic lysine derivative anti-hemorrhage drug tranexamicacid, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, such as the anti-inflammatoryaspirin derivative 5-aminosalicylic acid, proteins of any size, such asinsulin or lysozyme, antibodies or binding fragments thereof, such asIgG or a binding fragment thereof, and hormone derivatives, such as thesynthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine. In some alternatives of thehydrogel described herein, the drug is a nucleic acid analogue such asthe antiviral medication acyclovir, or ganciclovir, and tenofovir aminoester-based drugs, such as the anesthetics procaine or benzocaine,neurokinin 1 agonists such as the antiemetic aprepitant, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin or oxaliplatin,anthracyclines such as doxorubicin, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugssuch as the seizure and pain medications gabapentin or pregabalin, aminoacid derivatives, such as the synthetic lysine derivativeanti-hemorrhage drug tranexamic acid, aminated benzoic acid derivatives,such as the anti-inflammatory aspirin derivative 5-aminosalicylic acid,proteins of any size, such as insulin or lysozyme, antibodies or bindingfragments thereof, such as IgG or binding fragments thereof or hormonederivatives, such as the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine.

In some alternatives, the drugs for attachment to the hydrogel forinjection are from general drug families including compounds containinga primary amine that are compatible with the hydrogel prodrug technologyand may be delivered in a controlled manner using this technology.Without being limiting these drugs can include, antibiotics, amino acidderivatives, aminoglycosides, aureolic acids, aziridines, benzenoids,benzimidazoles, coumarin-glycosides, diphenyl ether derivatives,epipolythiodioxopiperazines, fatty acid derivatives, glucosamines,glycopeptides, imidazoles, indol derivatives, macrolactams, macrolides,nucleosides, beta-lactams, peptides, peptidyl nucleosides, phenicoles,polyenes, polyethers, pyridines and pyrimidines, quinolones andfluoroquinolones, statins, steroids, sulfonamides, taxoides,tetracyclines, statins, chemotherapeutics, alkylating agents, platinumdrugs, antimetabolites, cytotoxic antibiotics, topoisomerase inhibitors,mitotic inhibitors, corticosteroids, targeted enzyme inhibitors,antibody-drug conjugates, antibody fragments, protein fragments,oligopeptides, polypeptides, hormones, steroids, antipsychotics,anti-Alzheimers, cholesterol regulators, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors,psychostimulants and/or platelet aggregation inhibitors. In some of thealternatives of the hydrogel herein, the drug is doxorubicin, procaine,insulin or acyclovir.

In some alternatives of the hydrogel for injection, the drug is anantibiotic. In some alternatives, the antibiotic is an amino acidderivatives, aminoglycosides, aureolic acids, aziridines, benzenoids,benzimidazoles, coumarin-glycosides, diphenyl ether derivatives,epipolythiodioxopiperazines, fatty acid derivatives, glucosamines,glycopeptides, imidazoles, indol derivatives, macrolactams, macrolides,nucleosides, beta-lactams, peptides, peptidyl nucleosides, phenicoles,polyenes, polyethers, pyridines and pyrimidines, quinolones andfluoroquinolones, statins, steroids, sulfonamides, taxoides, and/ortetracyclines. In some alternatives, the drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid.

Mold Casting of the Hydrogel Prodrug

Without being limiting, the hydrogel prodrug can be used in the form ofan implant, sheet, film, support or a dressing. As shown in FIG. 5, thehydrogel prodrug can be molded into a desired shape depending upon itsuse. During the manufacture of the hydrogel prodrug, the at least oneacrylate with the at least one primary amine group or at least twosecondary amine groups of the at least one drug can be reacted toproduce at least one polymer prodrug by a polymerization reaction. Thepolymer prodrug can then be placed in a mold for the cross-linkingreaction. As shown in FIG. 5, the polymer prodrug was placed into a moldprior to cross-linking. Upon cross-linking, the polymer prodrugsolidified into a flexible solid material, the hydrogel prodrug, in theshape of the mold. As shown, the polymer prodrugs were cast intomicrocentrifuge tubes, and the resulting hydrogel prodrugs seen here,made from tranexamic acid, retained the conical tube shape. Theseconical hydrogels were used for subsequent drug release studies.Alternatively, the hydrogel prodrugs could be ground in order to producemicroparticles for injecting as shown in FIG. 6.

In some alternatives, the drug in the form of an implant, sheet, film,support or a dressing comprises nucleic acid analogues, tenofovir aminoester-based drugs, neurokinin 1 agonists, platinum-basedamine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, pregabalin, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoicacid derivatives, proteins of any size, such as insulin or lysozyme,antibodies or binding fragments thereof, such as IgG or a bindingfragment thereof or hormone derivatives.

In some alternatives, the drug in the form of an implant, sheet, film,support or a dressing is a cancer therapeutic.

In some alternatives, the hydrogel that is in the form of an implant,sheet, film, support or a dressing, comprises nucleic acid analoguessuch as the antiviral medications acyclovir, ganciclovir, tenofoviramino ester-based drugs, such as the anesthetics procaine or benzocaine,neurokinin 1 agonists such as the antiemetic aprepitant, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin or oxaliplatin,anthracyclines such as doxorubicin, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugssuch as the seizure or pain medications gabapentin or pregabalin, aminoacid derivatives, such as the synthetic lysine derivativeanti-hemorrhage drug tranexamic acid, aminated benzoic acid derivatives,such as the anti-inflammatory aspirin derivative 5-aminosalicylic acid,proteins of any size, such as insulin or lysozyme, antibodies or bindingfragments thereof, such as IgG or binding fragments thereof, and hormonederivatives, such as the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine. Insome alternatives of the hydrogel described herein, the drug is anucleic acid analogues such as the antiviral medications acyclovir,ganciclovir, or tenofovir amino ester-based drugs, such as theanesthetics procaine or benzocaine, neurokinin 1 agonists such as theantiemetic aprepitant, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics such as cisplatin or oxaliplatin, anthracyclines suchas doxorubicin, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs such as the seizureand pain medications gabapentin or pregabalin, amino acid derivatives,such as the synthetic lysine derivative anti-hemorrhage drug tranexamicacid, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, such as the anti-inflammatoryaspirin derivative 5-aminosalicylic acid, proteins of any size, such asinsulin or lysozyme, antibodies or binding fragments thereof, such asIgG or hormone derivatives, such as the synthetic thyroid hormonelevothyroxine.

In some alternatives, the hydrogel that is in the form of an implant,sheet, film, support or a dressing comprises a drug selected from ageneral drug family, wherein the family consists of compounds containinga primary amine that are compatible with the hydrogel prodrug technologyand may be delivered in a controlled manner using this technology.Without being limiting these drugs can include, antibiotics, amino acidderivatives, aminoglycosides, aureolic acids, aziridines, benzenoids,benzimidazoles, coumarin-glycosides, diphenyl ether derivatives,epipolythiodioxopiperazines, fatty acid derivatives, glucosamines,glycopeptides, imidazoles, indol derivatives, macrolactams, macrolides,nucleosides, beta-lactams, peptides, peptidyl nucleosides, phenicoles,polyenes, polyethers, pyridines and pyrimidines, quinolones,fluoroquinolones, statins, steroids, sulfonamides, taxoides,tetracyclines, statins, chemotherapeutics, alkylating agents, platinumdrugs, antimetabolites, cytotoxic antibiotics, topoisomerase inhibitors,mitotic inhibitors, corticosteroids, targeted enzyme inhibitors,antibody-drug conjugates, antibody fragments, protein fragments,oligopeptides, polypeptides, hormones, steroids, antipsychotics,anti-Alzheimers, cholesterol regulators, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors,psychostimulants, or platelet aggregation inhibitors. In some of thealternatives of the hydrogel herein, the drug is doxorubicin, procaine,insulin or acyclovir.

In some alternatives of the hydrogel, the drug is an antibiotic. In somealternatives, the antibiotic is an amino acid derivatives,aminoglycosides, aureolic acids, aziridines, benzenoids, benzimidazoles,coumarin-glycosides, diphenyl ether derivatives,epipolythiodioxopiperazines, fatty acid derivatives, glucosamines,glycopeptides, imidazoles, indol derivatives, macrolactams, macrolides,nucleosides, beta-lactams, peptides, peptidyl nucleosides, phenicoles,polyenes, polyethers, pyridines and pyrimidines, quinolones andfluoroquinolones, statins, steroids, sulfonamides, taxoides, ortetracyclines. In some alternatives, the drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the drug is a protein, such as insulin orlysozyme.

Overview of the Synthesis Procedure

The drug-containing hydrogels, hydrogel prodrugs, can be created usingtwo main steps.

For synthesizing the polymer prodrug, a drug that has at least one freeprimary amine group or at least two secondary amine groups is provided.A diacrylate is also provided. In the first step, a liquid polymer(polymer prodrug) is created from a reaction between the amine(s) anddiacrylate(s). In the alternatives described herein, the amine(s) isfrom at least one primary amine or at least two secondary amines withinthe drug(s). In the alternatives described herein, a linear polymer isformed which follows the chemical sequence:˜Diacrylate-amine-diacrylate-amine-diacrylate˜, etc. If multiplediacrylates and/or multiple amines are included in the synthesisreaction, then any of the diacrylate or amine components can occupy theappropriate position on the chain. The primary amine group of the drugcan participate directly in the condensation reaction with twodiacrylates, resulting in a polymer containing the drug within itsbackbone, such that the drug is part of the backbone. During thereaction, the amine acts as the linker between diacrylate species. Thereaction can be prepared using a molar excess of diacrylate, resultingin acrylate-terminated polymers. A 1.2:1 molar ratio of diacrylate:aminecan be used, although conceivably any ratio exceeding 1:1 would createacrylate-terminated polymers. In some alternatives described herein, atleast one acrylate and the at least one free primary amine or at leasttwo secondary amines of the at least one drug are at a molar ratio of1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 acrylate to drug or anyother ratio within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues.

This first step results in a polymer (usually a viscous liquid)belonging to the class of poly(beta amino ester)s (PBAEs). PBAEs havebeen studied primarily as a means of delivering DNA in a liquid carrierformulation, but they can also be cross-linked. An example of a PBAEstructure is shown in FIG. 3.

In a second step, the polymer prodrug, which can be in a liquid form,can be cross-linked using a free radical initiator, causing the freeacrylate end groups of the polymer to form carbon-carbon single bondcross-links. This is a standard curing process used in many commercialpolymer systems. The reason excess diacrylate is used in the synthesisreaction is to take advantage of these terminal carbon-carbon doublebonds that can participate in the cross-linking step. In somealternatives, the polymer prodrug has free acrylate end groups, whereinthe acrylate end groups participate in cross-linking steps.

The resulting hydrogel prodrugs can then degrade due to hydrolysis ofester bonds in the polymer backbone. The drug can be liberated from thehydrogel prodrug once the molecular weight is reduced enough to allowdrug, or drug-containing oligomers, to become soluble. Because the drugrelease from the hydrogel prodrug is dependent on degradation,henceforth “degradation” and drug “release” can be used interchangeably.

Chemical Components of Some Alternative Hydrogel Prodrugs

In some alternatives, the working formulation can contain Diacrylate 1,comprising Poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate (PEG400DA) or diethyleneglycol diacrylate (DEGDA). Conceivably, any biocompatible diacrylate ofsufficiently low molecular weight to be cleared from the body can beutilized. Such diacrylates may range from a molecular weight as low as160 g/mol to as high as 1,000 g/mol. In some alternatives, the molecularweight of the diacrylate comprises a weight of 160 g/mol, 200 g/mol, 250g/mol, 300 g/mol, 350 g/mol, 400 g/mol, 450 g/mol, 500 g/mol, 550 g/mol,600 g/mol, 650 g/mol, 700 g/mol, 750 g/mol, 800 g/mol, 850 g/mol, 900g/mol, 950 g/mol or 1000 g/mol, or any amount in g/mol within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. Dimethacrylates canalso be used.

In some alternatives, the properties of the components, such asmolecular weight, hydrophilicity, steric factors, for example, can beprimarily responsible for the degradation rate of the polymer. Forexample, PEG400DA polymers can degrade more rapidly (hours) than DEGDApolymers (>6 months). In some alternatives, hydrogel prodrugs made fromPEG400DA can degrade completely within 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 hours orany amount of time within a range defined by any two aforementionedvalues.

In some alternatives, a drug containing a primary amine is used in thesynthesis of the hydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives, the drugcomprises acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin,gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin,levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamicacid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. The amine in the drug can act as thelinker between diacrylate species. As such, this component contributes(generally to a smaller degree than the diacrylate) to the degradationrate of the polymer. For example, in formulations containing PEG400DAand isobutylamine (Amine 2, a non-drug primary amine that is used toserve as a spacer to reduce steric hindrance from Amine 1), hydrogelsmade with tranexamic acid as Amine 1 (a drug containing a primary amine)degrade in approximately 4 hours, while hydrogels made with5-aminosalicylic acid as Amine 1 degrade in approximately 10 hours.

Amine 2 (optional, depending on steric hindrance of Amine 1) asdescribed herein, is a non-drug primary amine that serves as a spacer toreduce steric hindrance from Amine 1. A non-drug primary amine thatserves as a spacer to reduce steric hindrance is typically attached to asmall linear hydrocarbon chain with few or no bulky groups or branchesattached. This amine can modify the degradation rate. Amines attached tolinear hydrocarbons with no branches lead to faster degradation thanamines attached to branched or bulky groups. In some alternativesdescribed herein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises spacers, wherein thespacers are derived from a non-drug primary amine that serves as aspacer to reduce steric hindrance from a drug that is covalently linkedthrough an amine group to the hydrogel prodrug polymers.

A second diacrylate can also be used in the polymerization reaction.This second diacrylate can be used to modify the degradation rate of thehydrogel. In some exemplary alternatives, hydrogels containingtranexamic acid and containing a 2:1 ratio of DEGDA:PEG400DA degrade inapproximately 19 hours, and hydrogels containing 5-aminosalicylic acidand containing a 2:1 ratio of DEGDA:PEG400DA degrade in approximately 50hours. These degradation times are approximately 5 times longer thanhydrogels made using only PEG400DA.

Manufacture (Synthesis) of a Hydrogel Prodrug

Drugs containing at least one free primary amine or at least twosecondary amines can be incorporated into a polymer prodrug used incross-linking into a hydrogel prodrug. The drug can be in an aqueousform or in a solid form. If drug is a solid, the drug is dissolved inappropriate solvent. The solvent for use should be miscible with theother diacrylate and amine components.

Some drugs are directly soluble in the liquid amine. In this case, noadditional solvent is required. For some drugs, the solvent of choice iswater. Optionally, the aqueous solution can comprise PBAE.

During the synthesis reaction of the polymer prodrug, the watercomponent is evaporated during the synthesis reaction due to the hightemperature (if the reaction vessel is not sealed airtight), orevaporated immediately following the synthesis reaction. Otherwise,residual water can cause hydrolysis of the polymer. Use of water in thereactions however is important as it can allow many drugs that have beenreported to be non-compatible with this reaction for due to their poorsolubility in organic solution. Surprisingly, the use of water did notcause degradation and allowed the incorporation of drugs into thehydrogel polymer. In some alternatives of manufacturing the hydrogelprodrug, water is used as a solvent to dissolve the drug or prodrug.

Prior to the synthesis reaction, some drugs are dissolved in an aqueoussolution containing organic solvents. Without being limiting, examplesof organic solvents can include ethanol or methanol, which can also beevaporated from the formulation following synthesis of the polymer.

Additionally, organic solvents with low volatility, such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), can be extracted using standard techniques such aslyophilization, dialysis, or affinity precipitation after synthesis, orthey can be removed using similar techniques after cross-linking of thepolymer into a hydrogel.

After dissolving the drug, the components (all diacrylates and amines,including drug or drug solution) are all mixed in a flask and heated tothe appropriate temperature (typically 50-90 C) under constant stirring.The temperature can be at least or equal to 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65°C., 70° C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C. or 90° C. or any other temperaturewithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values.

The reaction is then allowed to proceed to completion (“completion” istypically defined as a desired molecular weight as determined by GPC, oras the conversion of carbon-carbon double bonds to a certain percentage(typically 90%+) as determined by FTIR). The reaction typically takes8-72 hours to complete, with lower temperatures requiring longerreaction times. In some alternatives, the reaction is allowed to proceedfor 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 or 72 hours or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. The drugor the solvent may necessitate temperatures at the low end of thisrange, and thus, longer reaction times. Different amines and diacrylatescan also require specific reaction times to reach completion.

In some alternatives, visual appearance of the reacted polymers can beused to determine the completion of the reaction. For example,successfully reacted polymers can be homogeneous in appearance, with acolor characteristic of the drug. For example, 5-aminosalicylic acidpolymers are purple-brown, tranexamic acid polymers are yellow, anddoxorubicin polymers are purple. In some alternatives, the reactedpolymers become a viscous liquid which has a consistency similar tohoney. However, if the drug or polymer is dissolved in a solvent, suchas DMSO, which does not evaporate out, it will reduce the viscosity ofthe polymer.

In order to quench the reaction, the polymer prodrug can also be cooledand stored at 4° C.

After completion of the reaction, the polymer prodrugs are prepared forcross-linking into flexible solids (hydrogel prodrug). Chemicalcross-linking is accomplished by adding a free radical initiator such asammonium persulfate, and optionally adding a catalyst, such asTetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED). 1-10% w/w APS relative to polymermass can be used with 1-10% w/w TEMED. In some alternatives describedherein, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w APS relative topolymer mass is used or any percent w/w APS within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values is used in the cross-linkingreaction. In some alternatives described herein, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%,7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w TEMED relative to polymer mass is used or anypercent w/w TEMED within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values is used in the cross-linking reaction. Thechemical cross-linking can be allowed to proceed overnight (6-12 hours).Some chemical cross-linking reactions require 48 hours to completelycross-link. In some alternatives, the chemical cross-linking is allowedto proceed for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10,12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46or 48 hours or any number of hours within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values. In the case in which the polymer prodrug is aliquid, the polymer prodrug can be cast within a mold in which thecross-linking reaction can occur to produce a desired shape of thehydrogel prodrug when solidified.

In some alternatives, the cross-linking can be performed byphotocross-linking. Photocross-linking can be accomplished by adding alight-activated free radical initiator (photoinitiator). Aphotoinitiator is any chemical compound that decomposes into freeradicals when exposed to light. Examples of photoinitiators can includebut is not limited to Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), benzoyl peroxide,2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA), polyelthene glycol diacrylate(PEGDA), trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TPT), acryloyl chloride andcamphorquinone. In some alternatives, the cross-linking is performed byphotocross-linking with a photoinitiator or light-activated free radicalinitiator. In some alternatives the photoinitiator or light-activatedfree radical initiator is Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), benzoylperoixide, 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA), polyelthene glycoldiacrylate (PEGDA), trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TPT), acryloylchloride or camphorquinone. In some alternatives, the light-activatedfree radical initiator is DMPA. In some alternatives, the DMPA is at aconcentration is at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v of DMPA in thereaction mixture or any concentration within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, 1% w/w DMPA is used.Brief (1-10 minutes) exposure to UV light results in completecross-linking. In some alternatives, the cross-linking reaction isperformed under UV radiation for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or any time within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values.

Photocross-linking is more rapid than chemical cross-linking, and can beused on thin, translucent materials. If the UV light cannot penetratedeep enough into the material, this can result in heterogeneouscross-linking in which the surface is cross-linked, while the underlyingmaterial is not.

After completion of the cross-linking step, the hydrogel prodrug can beimmersed in a solvent such as ethanol to remove any unreactedcomponents. The hydrogel prodrug can then be dried and stored at roomtemperature with desiccant. It is important to keep the hydrogel prodrugdry, as an aqueous environment will hydrolytically degrade the hydrogelprodrug at a rate determined primarily by the chemical composition ofthe hydrogel.

When the hydrogel prodrug is in an aqueous solution, the hydrogelprodrug can visibly swell and become more translucent as they retainwater, and gradually collapse into wisps of material that disappear. Thedisappearance of material has been observed to coincide with thecompletion of drug release.

In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug can be manufactured in a 3Dprinter. A 3D printer can be used to synthesize a 3D object, of anyshape or geometry. In some alternatives herein, the cross-linking stepin the manufacturing of the hydrogel prodrug is performed within a 3Dprinter. Without being limiting 3D printing of drugs can be used tocreate a capsule to be swallowed or an implant that is made into adesired shape. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug ismanufactured in a 3D printer in which the hydrogel prodrug is anantibiotic implant, an antibiotic formulation or a hydrogel prodrugcomprising an analgesic. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a drug wherein the drug is a nucleic acid analogue, aminoester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic,statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portionthereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid,antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics,analgesics, antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the drug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-baseddrug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic,statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portionthereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid,antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics,analgesics, antiepileptics, antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction.anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, or psychostimulants, platelet aggregation inhibitors, ananti-HIV drug, an antiviral, an analgesic, an antibiotic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabineand/or tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine,mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin ordarunavir. In some alternatives, the drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the drug is a protein. In some alternatives,the protein comprises insulin or lysozyme.

In some alternatives, the method of making the hydrogel prodrugcomprises manufacturing the polymer prodrug, placing the polymer prodrugwithin a 3D printer and cross linking the polymer prodrug within the3D-printer thereby producing the hydrogel prodrug and printing thehydrogel prodrug into a desired shape by the 3D printer. In somealternatives, a light source is used in the cross-linking step. In somealternatives, the 3D printing method is performed within an enclosedchamber. In some alternatives, the 3D printing is controlled by acomputer program. Without being limiting, examples of commerciallyavailable 3D printers includes Objet260Connex™, Objet260 Connex1™ andObjet 260Connex3™

Physical Forms of the Hydrogels

Without being limiting, the liquid polymer can be cast into any shape,the geometry of the hydrogels can be tailored to the desiredapplication. These materials are soft and flexible, and can becompressed or stretched considerably before they tear. By way ofexample, and not of limitation, a hydrogel can be in the form of a thinfilm, a pill, microparticles, nano-particles, capsules, implantable rodsor discs or a capsule. Implantable rods are envisioned to be similar inform to Nexplanon which is a rod containing progesterone and is used asa birth control implant for women.

For example, a thin film can be created that can be applied onto a largesurface area. This is envisioned to be similar in form to a Listerine®strip, in which the hydrogel prodrug strip can contain antibiotics oranti-inflammatory drugs, which can be applied by a dentist onto thegumline during cleaning procedures to clear up an infection.

Alternatively, the thin films containing tranexamic acid (ananti-hemorrhage drug) can be layered onto a bandage, which can beapplied to a battlefield wound by a field medic to prevent subjects frombleeding out.

The same tranexamic acid hydrogel could also be packed into a wound tomechanically staunch the bleeding and pharmaceutically prevent furtherbleeding.

The same tranexamic hydrogel could be processed into micro- ornanoparticles (this can be done mechanically by grinding, or can be doneduring the hydrogel synthesis by performing the cross-linking reactionin an excess of solvent) and introduced in a variety of ways: injectedinto tissue as a suspension, coated onto medical equipment to bereleased at the site of treatment, coated onto a bandage and appliedsimilarly to the thin film, or other methods of treatments that areknown to one skilled in the art.

The 5-aminosalicylic acid hydrogel can also be processed into any of thepreviously mentioned forms.

Any of these hydrogels can be formulated into oral tablets; the hydrogelmay be processed into particles, or a solid capsule (likely with acommon coating to mediate exposure to the acidic digestive environment),and taken orally to provide sustained systemic drug release.

In some alternatives, a hydrogel prodrug comprising a chemotherapeuticcan be injected as particles directly into or onto a tumor, or a solidimplant can be placed subcutaneously or at the site of the tumor toprovide sustained chemotherapeutic release.

Additionally, in some alternatives, an un-cross-linked drug polymer canalso be applied in novel ways, such as in an injection or in a woundtreatment. In some alternatives, a bioadhesive is used with the hydrogelprodrug or hydrogel prodrug system.

Reaction Schemes

Provided herein are methods that may be used to prepare the hydrogelsdescribed in the instant application. In one alternative, a drug-freehydrogel may be prepared according to reaction scheme P1 as shown inFIG. 14. Reaction scheme P1 shows the reaction between at least onediacrylate linker and a spacer having one primary amine moiety to form apolymeric compound via conjugate addition of the amine to the β-carbonof the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety of the acrylate. In somealternatives, the primary amine spacer may be replaced with a spacerthat contains more than one secondary amine moiety.

In some alternatives, a hydrogel prodrug may be prepared according toreaction scheme P2 as shown in FIG. 16. Reaction scheme P2 shows thereaction between at least one diacrylate linker and a drug compoundhaving one primary amine moiety to form a polymeric compound viaconjugate addition of the amine to the β-carbon of the α,β-unsaturatedcarbonyl moiety of the acrylate. In some alternatives, the drug compoundmay be a drug compound that contains more than one secondary aminemoiety.

In some alternatives, a hydrogel prodrug may be prepared according toreaction scheme P3 as shown in FIG. 15. Reaction scheme P3 shows thereaction between at least one diacrylate linker and a mixture of aspacer compound having one primary amine moiety and a drug compoundhaving one primary amine moiety to form a polymeric compound viaconjugate addition of the amine of the spacer and/or drug to theβ-carbon of the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety of the acrylate. Theresulting product is a random copolymer having both a spacer backbonecomponent and a drug backbone component. In some embodiments, theproperties of the hydrogels produced according to FIG. 15 is dependentof the ratio of spacer compound to drug compound used. In somealternatives, the spacer compound may contain more than one secondaryamine moiety. In some alternatives, the drug compound may contain morethan one secondary amine moiety. In some alternatives, the drug compoundand spacer compound may both contain one primary amine moiety. In somealternatives, the drug compound and spacer compound may both containmore than one secondary amine moiety. In some alternatives, the drugcompound may contain one primary amine moiety and the spacer compoundmay contain more than one secondary amine moiety. In some alternatives,the spacer compound may contain one primary amine moiety and the drugcompound may contain more than one secondary amine moiety.

In some alternatives, a hydrogel prodrug may be prepared according toreaction scheme P4 as shown in FIG. 17. Reaction scheme P4 shows thereaction between at least one diacrylate linker and a mixture of two ormore different spacer compounds each having one primary amine moiety anda drug compound having one primary amine moiety to form a polymericcompound via conjugate addition of the amine of the spacers and/or drugto the β-carbon of the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety of the acrylate.The resulting product is a random copolymer having both a spacerbackbone components derived from each of the different spacer compoundsand a drug backbone component. In some embodiments, the properties ofthe hydrogels produced according to FIG. 17 are dependent of the ratioof spacer compound to drug compound used.

In some alternatives, a hydrogel prodrug may be prepared according toreaction scheme P5 as shown in FIG. 18. Reaction scheme P5 shows thereaction between at least one diacrylate linker and a mixture of aspacer compound having one primary amine moiety and a mixture of two ormore drug compound having one primary amine moiety to form a polymericcompound via conjugate addition of the amine of the spacer and/or drugsto the β-carbon of the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety of the acrylate.The resulting product is a random copolymer having a spacer backbonecomponent and a drug backbone component derived from each of thedifferent spacer compounds. In some embodiments, the properties of thehydrogels produced according to FIG. 18 are dependent of the ratio ofspacer compound to drug compounds used. In some alternatives, the spacercompound may contain more than one secondary amine moiety. In somealternatives, each of the drug compounds may independently contain morethan one secondary amine moiety. In some alternatives, each of the drugcompounds and the spacer compound may independently contain one primaryamine moiety. In some alternatives, each of drug compounds may be asmall molecule drug. In some alternatives, each of drug compounds may bea large molecule drug (e.g., IgG or a binding fragment thereof). In somealternatives, one of the drug compounds may be a small molecule drug andthe remaining drug compounds may be large molecule drugs. In somealternatives, a hydrogel prodrug prepared according to reaction schemeP5 may release to different drugs. In some alternatives, a hydrogelprodrug prepared according to reaction scheme P5 may release two or moreor a plurality of different drugs. In some alternatives, a hydrogelprodrug prepared according to reaction scheme P5 may release threedifferent drugs. In some alternatives, a hydrogel prodrug preparedaccording to reaction scheme P5 may release more than three differentdrugs.

In some alternatives, a hydrogel prodrug may be prepared according toreaction scheme P6 as shown in FIG. 19. Reaction scheme P6 shows thereaction between at least two diacrylate linkers and at least onenon-drug spacer having a primary amine moiety and at least one drughaving a primary amine moiety to form a polymeric compound via conjugateaddition of the amine of the spacer and/or drug to the β-carbon of theα,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety of the acrylate linkers. The resultingproduct is a random copolymer having spacer backbone components derivedfrom each of the different spacers and a drug backbone component derivedfrom the drug compound. Preparation of a hydrogel prodrug according toreaction scheme P6 may allow further control over the degradationkinetics and physical properties of the hydrogel prodrugs. For example,in some alternatives, preparation of a hydrogel prodrug according toreaction scheme P6 may result in a hydrogel prodrug with an extendedlifespan as compared to a hydrogel prodrug prepared using an alternativepreparation. In some embodiments, the properties of the hydrogelsproduced according to FIG. 19 are dependent of the ratio of spacercompound to drug compounds used. In some embodiments, the properties ofthe hydrogels produced according to FIG. 19 are dependent of the ratioof different diacrylate linkers used. In some alternatives, the spacercompound may contain more than one secondary amine moiety. In somealternatives, the drug compound may contain more than one secondaryamine moiety. In some alternatives, each of the drug compound and thespacer compound may independently contain one primary amine moiety. Insome alternatives, the drug compound may contain more than one secondaryamine moiety and the spacer compound may contain a primary amine moiety.In some alternatives, the spacer compound may contain more than onesecondary amine moiety and the drug compound may contain a primary aminemoiety.

In some alternatives, a hydrogel prodrug may be prepared according toreaction scheme P7 as shown in FIG. 20. Reaction scheme P7 shows thereaction between at least two diacrylate linkers and at least twonon-drug spacers having a primary amine moiety and at least two drugcompounds having a primary amine moiety to form a polymeric compound viaconjugate addition of the amine moiety of the spacer and/or drug to theβ-carbon of the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety of the acrylate linkers.The resulting product is a random copolymer having the general structureshown in FIG. 20. Reaction scheme P7 is a generalized combination ofschemes P4, P5, and P6, and allows any combination of two or morediacrylates, and/or two or more drugs and/or two or more drug spacers.

In some alternatives, the polymeric compounds prepared using any of thereactions schemes described herein may be further modified usingchemical methods known in the art. For example, polymeric compoundsformed using any one of reaction schemes P1-P7 may be crosslinked usingmethods including, but not limited to, those described herein.

Drug Release Studies

All drug release studies were performed by immersing 50-200 mg ofhydrogel prodrug samples in 5-10 mL deionized water on an orbital shakerand periodically collecting 1 mL samples, with replacement. Spectra ofboth polymer prodrugs and fully degraded hydrogel prodrug samples wereused to identify peaks that correlated to drug concentrations.Background absorbance values were subtracted using a drug-free hydrogelcontrol, and the background-subtracted absorbance values were correctedfor the sampling volume replaced at each time point.

All drug release graphs show the cumulative total of drug releasedexpressed as a fraction (Mt/Moo, here labeled as the cumulativefraction) as a function of time, in hours.

Using reaction scheme P3 (FIG. 15), hydrogel prodrugs were created usingpoly(ethylene glycol 575) diacrylate as the diacrylate and isobutylamineas the spacer amine to create hydrogels that fully degraded in a matterof hours. The same formulations were then modified using reaction schemeP6 by replacing a fraction of the diacrylate moles with an equal molaramount of diethylene glycol diacrylate, creating hydrogel prodrugs thatdegraded fully over the course of days to weeks. All formulationsutilized an isobutylamine:drug ratio between 9:1 and 99:1. In somealternatives, formulations utilize an isobutylamine:drug ratio of 1:1,2:1, 5:1, 9:1, 10:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1,99:1 or 100:1 or any other ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drugin between any two aforementioned ratios.

All formulations produced generally linear release kinetics from thebeginning of the experiment until the complete degradation of thematerial, with some exceptions. Doxorubicin, for all formulations,exhibited a lag period where minimal drug release occurred, followed bya linear release period. This lag period ranged from hours to days,depending on the formulation. All other formulations released drugsteadily for the duration of their lifespans. Procaine and acyclovireach had certain formulations that appeared to produce biphasic release,with an initial high linear release rate and a subsequent lower linearrelease rate for the remainder of the release period. This effect wasnot present in acyclovir P3, but was seen in acyclovir P6. It is knownthat synthesis parameters, including reaction temperature, reactionduration, and reactant concentration, as well as other factors such aspost-reaction washing and drying of the hydrogels, can modulate therelease kinetics and, in particular, they may modulate the initial drugrelease behavior. It is notable that none of the formulations exhibitedan appreciable initial burst release, which is a characteristic of mostcurrently available drug delivery systems and is often a negative aspectof these systems that must be overcome to obtain desirable releasekinetics. It is also important that the completion of drug releasecoincides with the complete disappearance of visible hydrogel material,indicating that material degradation does not occur without drugrelease, and conversely, drug release does not occur without materialdegradation.

All large molecules tested, ranging in size from small (insulin, 5.8kDa) medium (lysozyme, 14.3 kDa) to large (IgG, 158 kDa) exhibitednear-perfect linear release kinetics with zero burst for release periodsranging from hours to days, suggesting that this technology isparticularly well-suited for delivery of large molecule and antibodydrugs. In some alternatives, the molecules for use as a drug are 1, 5,10, 20, 40, 60, 120, 240, 360 or 500 kDa or any other molecular weightin a range in between any two aforementioned values. As discussed, theadvantage of this type of release would be the steady concentration ofdrug in a subject that is being treated. In the alternatives describedherein, the hydrogel prodrug can be manufactured by any one of thereaction schemes provided herein.

Without being limiting, the drug categories, which have been proven tobe compatible with this new hydrogel prodrug technology include nucleicacid analogues such as the antiviral medications acyclovir, ganciclovir,tenofovir amino ester-based drugs, such as the anesthetics procaine orbenzocaine, neurokinin 1 agonists such as the antiemetic aprepitant,platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin oroxaliplatin, anthracyclines such as doxorubicin, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs such as the seizure and pain medications gabapentinor pregabalin, amino acid derivatives, such as the synthetic lysinederivative anti-hemorrhage drug tranexamic acid, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, such as the anti-inflammatory aspirin derivative5-aminosalicylic acid, proteins of any size, such as insulin orlysozyme, antibodies or binding fragments thereof, such as IgG orbinding fragments thereof, and hormone derivatives, such as thesynthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine. In some alternatives of thehydrogel described herein, the drug is a nucleic acid analogue such asthe antiviral medication acyclovir, ganciclovir, or tenofovir aminoester-based drugs, such as the anesthetics procaine or benzocaine,neurokinin 1 agonists such as the antiemetic aprepitant, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin or oxaliplatin,anthracyclines such as doxorubicin, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugssuch as the seizure and pain medications gabapentin or pregabalin, aminoacid derivatives, such as the synthetic lysine derivativeanti-hemorrhage drug tranexamic acid, aminated benzoic acid derivatives,such as the anti-inflammatory aspirin derivative 5-aminosalicylic acid,proteins of any size, such as insulin or lysozyme, antibodies or bindingfragments thereof, such as IgG or hormone derivatives, such as thesynthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine.

In some alternatives, the drugs for attachment to the hydrogel are fromgeneral drug families including compounds containing a primary aminethat are compatible with the hydrogel prodrug technology and may bedelivered in a controlled manner using this technology. Without beinglimiting these drugs can include, antibiotics, amino acid derivatives,aminoglycosides, aureolic acids, aziridines, benzenoids, benzimidazoles,coumarin-glycosides, diphenyl ether derivatives,epipolythiodioxopiperazines, fatty acid derivatives, glucosamines,glycopeptides, imidazoles, indol derivatives, macrolactams, macrolides,nucleosides, beta-lactams, peptides, peptidyl nucleosides, phenicoles,polyenes, polyethers, pyridines and pyrimidines, quinolones andfluoroquinolones, statins, steroids, sulfonamides, taxoides,tetracyclines, statins, chemotherapeutics, alkylating agents, platinumdrugs, antimetabolites, cytotoxic antibiotics, topoisomerase inhibitors,mitotic inhibitors, corticosteroids, targeted enzyme inhibitors,antibody-drug conjugates, antibody fragments, protein fragments,oligopeptides, polypeptides, hormones, steroids, antipsychotics,anti-Alzheimers, cholesterol regulators, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors,psychostimulants and/or platelet aggregation inhibitors. In some of thealternatives of the hydrogel herein, the drug is doxorubicin, procaine,insulin or acyclovir.

In some alternatives of the hydrogel, the drug is an antibiotic. In somealternatives, the antibiotic is an amino acid derivatives,aminoglycosides, aureolic acids, aziridines, benzenoids, benzimidazoles,coumarin-glycosides, diphenyl ether derivatives,epipolythiodioxopiperazines, fatty acid derivatives, glucosamines,glycopeptides, imidazoles, indol derivatives, macrolactams, macrolides,nucleosides, beta-lactams, peptides, peptidyl nucleosides, phenicoles,polyenes, polyethers, pyridines and pyrimidines, quinolones andfluoroquinolones, statins, steroids, sulfonamides, taxoides, ortetracyclines. In some alternatives, the drug is a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction. anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, orpsychostimulants, platelet aggregation inhibitors, an anti-HIV drug, anantiviral, an analgesic, an antibiotic, an anti-fungal, pregablin,glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine and/or tenofovir,valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine,memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir.In some alternatives, the drug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine,cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a bindingfragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin,procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In somealternatives, the drug is a protein. In some alternatives, the proteincomprises insulin or lysozyme.

Any drug containing an available primary or multiple secondary amines,or any drug that can be aminated, is likely to be compatible within thissystem. For each drug, the functionality of the drug delivery systemwill depend on the choice of diacrylate or diacrylates, spacer amine orspacer amines, and/or concentrations thereof.

In some alternatives, a drug can be modified to add a functional groupsuch as adding a linker with an amine group so that a drug without anaccessible amine can be added to a hydrogel. Amination is a process bywhich an amine group is introduced into a molecule and can beappreciated by those of skill in the art.

Drug Release Study Summary Table

Provided below is a table that summarizes the drug release studiesperformed (Table 1).

Study Crosslink Reaction Code Drug DA1:DA2 method scheme t₁₀₀ VR002Acyclovir 1:0 Chemical P3 10 VR023 Acyclovir 1:2 Chemical P6 80 VR009Aprepitant 1:0 Chemical P3 10 VR027 Aprepitant 1:2 Chemical P6 75 VR032Benzocaine 1:2 Chemical P6 300 VR013 Cisplatin 1:0 Chemical P3 10 VR034Cisplatin 1:2 Chemical P6 150 VR011 Doxorubicin 1:0 None; self- P3 4crosslinked VR026 Doxorubicin 1:4 None; self- P6 250 crosslinked VR028Doxorubicin 1:6 None; self- P6 600 crosslinked VR014 Gabapentin 1:0Chemical P3 7 VR015 Gabapentin 1:0 Chemical P3 8 VR019 Ganciclovir 1:0Chemical P3 6 VR036 IgG 1:0 Chemical P3 10 VR038 IgG 1:1 Chemical P6 48VR010 Insulin 1:2 Chemical P6 12 VR031 Insulin 1:0 Chemical P3 125 VR006Levothyroxine 1:0 UV P3 2 VR020 Levothyroxine 1:2 UV P6 120 VR007Lysozyme 1:0 Chemical P3 20 VR008 Lysozyme 1:0 UV P3 11 VR017Oxaliplatin 1:0 Chemical P3 4 VR018 Oxaliplatin 1:0 Chemical P3 5 VR016Pregabalin 1:0 Chemical P3 11 VR024 Pregabalin 1:2 Chemical P6 40 VR004Procaine 1:0 Chemical P3 8 VR022 Procaine 1:2 Chemical P6 132 VR035Tenofovir 1:0 Chemical P3 10 disoproxil VR001 Tranexamic 1:0 Chemical P34 acid

Table 1. Summary of drug release studies. DA1:DA2 is the molar ratio ofpoly(ethylene glycol 575) diacrylate to diethylene glycol diacrylate.The crosslink method indicates whether the crosslinking process ischemically-initiated, photo initiated using UV light, or whether thematerial self-crosslinked. The reaction scheme refers to schemes P1-P7defined previously.

Degraded Hydrogel Prodrug Spectra

Absorbance spectra were measured for fully degraded hydrogel prodrugs todetermine the peaks to be used when measuring drug concentrations.Terminal time points from release studies were used to generate allspectra below. The intensity of the peaks is arbitrary since thesesamples were of unknown concentration. Absorbance spectra of degradedhydrogels were performed on hydrogels containing acyclovir (FIG. 21),aprepitant (FIG. 23), benzocaine (FIG. 25), cisplatin (FIG. 27),doxorubicin (FIG. 29), gabapentin (FIG. 31), ganciclovir (FIG. 33), IgG(FIG. 35), Insulin (FIG. 37), levothyroxine (FIG. 39), lysozyme (FIG.41), oxalipatin (FIG. 43), pregabalin (FIG. 45), procaine (FIG. 47),tenofovir disoproxil (FIG. 49) and tranexamic acid (FIG. 51).

Drug Release Graphs

All drug release studies were performed with 3 replicates, and data ispresented as the mean+/−95% confidence interval. When appropriate alocally weighted polynomial regression (LOESS) line is fitted to thedata to visualize the kinetics. Methods for the drug release aredescribed above. Drug release experiments were performed from acyclovirhydrogel prodrug made from using reaction schematic P3 and P6 (FIG. 22),aprepitant hydrogel prodrug made from using reaction schematic P3 and P6(FIG. 24), benzocaine hydrogel prodrug made from using reactionschematic P6 (FIG. 26), cisplatin hydrogel prodrug made from usingreaction schematic P3 and P6 (FIG. 28), doxorubicin hydrogel prodrugmade from using reaction schematic P3 (VR011) and P6 (VR026 and VR028)(FIG. 30), gabapentin hydrogel prodrug made from using reactionschematic P3 and P3 (FIG. 32), ganciclovir hydrogel prodrug made fromusing reaction schematic P3 (FIG. 34), IgG hydrogel prodrug made fromusing reaction schematic P3 and P6 (FIG. 36), insulin hydrogel prodrugmade from using reaction schematic P3 and P6 (FIG. 38), levothyroxinehydrogel prodrug made from using reaction schematic P3 and P6 (FIG. 40),lysozyme hydrogel prodrug made from using reaction schematic P3 andusing reaction schematic P3 and UV cross-linking (FIG. 42), oxaliplatinhydrogel prodrug made from using reaction schematic P3 and P6 (FIG. 44),pregabalin hydrogel prodrug made from using reaction schematic P3 and P6(FIG. 46), procaine hydrogel prodrug made from using reaction schematicP3 and P6 (FIG. 48), tenofovir disoproxil hydrogel prodrug made fromusing reaction schematic P3 (FIG. 50) and tranexamic acid hydrogelprodrug made from using reaction schematic P3 (FIG. 52). As shown fromthe drug release data provided herein, the drugs can be releasedsteadily, thus following the zero order drug release kinetics.

Cytotoxicity

For the cytotoxicity studies, NIH 3T3 cells were plated in 96-wellplates at 5×10⁴ cells per well for 16 h. Cells were treated with fullydegraded IgG hydrogel prodrug in water (Sample 1) or fully degradeddrug-free hydrogels (Sample 2) at 0.025, 0.25 and 2.5 mg/ml for 24 h.Sodium azide was used as a reference control between 0.002 and 2%. After24 hours, cells were then treated with WST-1 reagent for up to 4 h andthe absorbance of the samples was measured using a microplate reader. Inthe data below, lower absorbances indicate higher cytotoxicity.

Results of the cytotoxicity of the IgG hydrogel prodrug degradation areshown in FIG. 53. As shown in FIG. 53, cytotoxicity of IgG hydrogelprodrug degradation byproducts (Sample 1) and corresponding drug-freehydrogels (Sample 2), indicate no change in cytotoxicity due to theincorporation of drug. Pure IgG caused zero toxicity.

Molecular Weight Analysis

Pure IgG polymer prodrug, pure insulin polymer prodrug, fully degradedIgG hydrogel prodrug in water, and fully degraded insulin hydrogelprodrug in water were analyzed for molecular weight and polydispersityusing GPC. This analysis was performed to verify the success of thepolymerization reaction and to verify that the hydrogels completelydegrade hydrolytically.

The results indicate that the polymer prodrugs have similar molecularweight distributions prior to crosslinking, with the dominant peakconsisting of approximately 4 kDa chains, which corresponds toapproximately 5 or 6 repeat units (diacrylate MW=525 Da and amine MW=73Da). The degraded hydrogel samples had molecular weights approximatelyequal to the diacrylate (525 Da), suggesting complete biodegradationinto monomer-sized byproducts.

The released drug was visible as a high molecular weight tail on thechromatogram, indicating that drug is released separate from themajority of degraded non-drug polymer backbone.

As shown in Table 2, below is a GPC analysis of several drugs beforedegradation.

Peak MW Polydispersity Sample Features (Mp) (Da) (Approximate) 1A Three4059 (Major) 2.7 unresolved 1048  peaks 378 1B One peak, no 540 1.3(Degraded) noticeable shoulders 2A Three 3423 (Major) 2.5 unresolved1005  peaks 408 2B One peak, 499 1.3 (Degraded) high MW tail

Table 1. GPC analysis of IgG polymer prodrug (1A), fully degraded IgGhydrogel prodrug (1B), insulin polymer prodrug (2A), and fully degradedinsulin polymer prodrug (2B). The analysis indicates that the dominantpeak of the polymer prodrugs is consistent before degradation, and themolecular weights of the degradation byproducts closely approximate thepoly(ethylene glycol)-based diacrylate monomers used in the originalsynthesis (MW=525).

More Alternatives

In some alternatives, a method of making a hydrogel prodrug is provided.The method of making a hydrogel prodrug can comprise providing at leastone drug that comprises at least one amine group, providing at least oneacrylate, reacting said at least one acrylate with the at least oneamine group of the at least one drug, thereby producing at least onepolymer prodrug, wherein, the reacting comprises a polymerizationreaction and cross-linking said at least one polymer prodrug in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprisespolymerized polymer prodrug. In some alternatives, the at least oneamine group is a free primary amine group. In some alternatives, the atleast one amine group is a secondary amine group. In some alternatives,the at least one amine group comprises at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the method comprises reacting the at leastone acrylate with the at least two secondary amine groups of the atleast one drug. In some alternatives, the method further comprisesproviding at least one primary amine and/or at least one secondaryamine. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate comprises atleast one acrylate group. In some alternatives, the at least oneacrylate group is bound by an ester linkage to an opposing termini of acarbon chain, wherein, the carbon chain comprises at least or equal to1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 carbon atoms, or any numberof carbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprises substitutedheteroatoms, unsubstituted heteroatoms, unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds,saturated carbon-carbon bonds, branched substitutions, unbranchedsubstitutions and/or cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, thecyclic carbon chains comprise saturated bonds, unsaturated bonds and/orheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprises two acrylategroups and is a diacrylate. In some alternatives, the diacrylate ispoly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol)400 diacrylate (PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate(PEG575DA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycoldiacrylate (DEGDA). In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate andthe at least one free primary amine or at least two secondary amines ofthe at least one drug are at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1,1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 acrylate to drug or any other ratio within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the acrylate comprises a molecular weight of at least orequal to 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000, 10000, g/mol, orany other molecular weight within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting step isperformed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30°C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75°C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C., 115° C.or 120° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values listed. In some alternatives, the reacting isperformed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30°C. or 35° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values listed. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a catalyst. In some alternatives, thecatalyst is TEMED. In some alternatives, the TEMED is at a 1%, 2%, 3%,4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of TEMED to reaction mixture or anyw/w percent within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is ammoniumpersulfate. In some alternatives, the concentration of ammoniumpersulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10%w/w of ammonium sulfate to reaction mixture or any concentration withina range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the cross-linking is performed in the presence of a UVradiation source. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is alight-activated free radical initiator. In some alternatives, thelight-activated free radical initiator is DMPA. In some alternatives, Insome alternatives, the DMPA is at a concentration is at 0.2%, 0.4%,0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v of DMPA in the reaction mixture or anyconcentration within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the cross-linking is performed in thepresence of a UV radiation source for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or any amount of time within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, thereacting step comprises an addition reaction between the at least onefree primary amine group of at least one drug or the at least onesecondary amine group of the at least one drug with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one free primary aminegroup or at least one secondary amine group is present on a peptide. Insome alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs are polymerized tothe at least one acrylate, thereby producing at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or10 drugs comprise at least one primary amine group or at least onesecondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the at least one primary amine group or the at least onesecondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 drugsparticipates in an addition reaction with the at least one acrylate. Insome alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acid analogue,amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutic, anthracycline, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drug, amino acid derivative, aminated benzoic acidderivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic, antiepileptic, antiviral,anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug, contraceptive,diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor, psychostimulant, plateletaggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal,pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir,valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine,memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir.In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing a seconddrug, wherein, the second drug comprises at least one amine group. Insome alternatives, the at least one free amine group is a free primaryamine group. In some alternatives, the at least one amine group of thesecond drug is a secondary amine group. In some alternatives, the seconddrug further comprises at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the at least one acrylate, and an amine sum totalcomprising a sum total of the at least primary and/or secondary aminesof the at least one or two drugs are at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1,1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 diacrylate:amine sum total or anyother ratio within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the second drug is a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the reactingstep is performed for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, or any time within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives the proteinis insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises purifying the hydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stopping the cross-linking step before thepurification step. In some alternatives, the stopping is performed byadding hydrochloric acid. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises stopping the polymerization action before the purificationstep, wherein, the method is stopped by lowering the temperature to atleast or equal to 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. orany temperature within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues, or any temperature lower than the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method reaction further comprises monitoring thecross-linking step, wherein, the monitoring is performed by obtaining asample of the reaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture toFTIR. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the second drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing achemical spacer comprising at least one free primary amine group or atleast one secondary amine group, wherein, the chemical spacer is aspacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrug. In somealternatives, the spacer comprises isobutylamine. In some alternatives,the chemical spacer comprises at least two secondary amine groups. Insome alternatives, the chemical spacer is provided at a ratio ofchemical spacer to at least one drug ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1, 10:1,20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 or anyother ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drug in between any twoaforementioned ratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least primary amine group of the chemical spacer orat least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer is attached toa carbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprise at leastor equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number ofcarbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprises substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains compriseheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is added to theat least one acrylate prior to reacting the at least one drug with theat least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer, at least one acrylate, and at leastone drug are all reacted simultaneously to form at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the reacting step. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step comprises cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises thepolymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent prior toadding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In some alternatives,the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In some alternatives, thesolvent does not contain a buffer with an amine group such as Tris. Insome alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent. In somealternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates between any two aforementioned numbers. In some alternatives,the polymer structure terminates with acrylate ends. In somealternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises a molecular weight of atleast or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000,60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da or any molecular weightwithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method further comprises washing the hydrogel prodrugwith ethanol or another solvent to remove unwanted or unreactedmaterial. In some alternatives, the method further comprises stretchingor compressing the hydrogel prodrug to a desired shape. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step is performed in a mold such thatthe hydrogel prodrug comprises a final desired shape, such as a tablet,a film, a dressing or a scaffold. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug is compressed into a film for application to a surface area,such as a dressing or shaped into a scaffold or support. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is processed into a solid capsule,implant, microparticle or a pill. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of atleast or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hoursor 64 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by any twoaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of at leastor equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or128 days, or any number of days within a range defined by any twoaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of at leastor equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two aforementioned values.In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing a targetingmoiety and incorporating or linking the targeting moiety to the at leastone polymer prodrug. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a ligand on an organ, tissue or a cell. In somealternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a surface proteinthat is expressed during manifestation of a disease. In somealternatives, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease, a neurologicaldisease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or a cancer antigen. In somealternatives, the tumor is a solid tumor. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a ligand on a tumor. In somealternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a cancer antigen. Insome alternatives, the cancer antigen is EGFR, HER2, Mesothelin, cancertestis antigens, LlCAM, o-acetylated GD2, GD2, neoantigens, Var2,glypican-2 (GPC2), HPV antigens, alphafetoprotein, carcinoembryonicantigen, CA-125, MUC-1, epithelial tumor antigen, abnormal products ofras or p53, EphA2, MAGE-A3, MAGE-A4, MAGE-C2, PRAME, SSX2, adipophilin,AIM2, ALDH1A1, BCLX, EpCAM, CS274, CPSF, cyclin D1, DKK1, ENAH, EpCAM,EphA3, EZH2, FGF5, glypican-3, G250, HLA-DOB, Hepsin, ID01, IGF2B3,IL13Ralpha2, Intestinal carboxylesterase, alpha-foetoprotein,kallikrein4, KIF20A, Lengsin, M-CSF, MCSP, mdm-2, Meloe, midkine, MMP-2,MMP-7, MUC1, MUC5AC, p53, PAX5, PBF, PRAME, PSMA, RAGE-1, RGS5, RhoC,RNF43, RUF43, FU2AS, secernin 1, SOX10, STEAP1, survivin, telomerase,TPBG, VEGF, WT1, NY-ESO-1 or ROR1. In some alternatives, a hydrogelprodrug manufactured by any one of these alternatives is provided. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for atleast or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80,80, 90 or 100 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by anytwo of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug is formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 days or any amountof time within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values.In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release forat least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months orany amount of time within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isformulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 hours or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for at leastor equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80,90 or 100 days or any amount of time within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugis formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months or any amount of time within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. A hydrogel prodrug made by anyone of the alternatives herein is provided. The hydrogel prodrugcomprises: at least one drug and at least one acrylate. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or10 different drugs. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprisesa nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist,platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines,γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminatedbenzoic acid derivatives, proteins, antibiotic, statin,chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof,protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction. anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, orpsychostimulants, platelet aggregation inhibitors, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine and tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug comprises acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin,doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG, insulin, levothyroxine,oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a chemical spacer. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugis compressed into a film for application to a surface area, such as adressing or shaped into a scaffold or support. In some alternatives, thehydrogel prodrug is processed into a solid capsule, implant,microparticle or a pill.

A method of making a hydrogel prodrug is provided. The method caninclude the following: providing at least one drug that comprises atleast one amine group, providing at least one acrylate, reacting said atleast one acrylate with the at least one amine group or at least twosecondary amine groups of the at least one drug, thereby producing atleast one polymer prodrug, wherein, the reacting comprises apolymerization reaction and cross-linking said at least one polymerprodrug in the presence of a free radical initiator in a reactionmixture, thereby making the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a backbone structure, wherein, the backbone structurecomprises polymerized polymer prodrug. In some alternatives, the atleast one amine group is a free primary amine group. In somealternatives, the at least one amine group is drug comprises at least atwo secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the drug furthercomprises at least two secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, atleast one primary amine and/or at least one secondary amine areprovided. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate can have atleast one acrylate group. In some alternatives, the at least oneacrylate group is bound by an ester linkage to an opposing termini of acarbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprises at leastor equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 carbon atoms,or any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprisessubstituted heteroatoms, unsubstituted heteroatoms, unsaturatedcarbon-carbon bonds, saturated carbon-carbon bonds, branchedsubstitutions, unbranched substitutions and/or cyclic carbon chains. Insome alternatives, the cyclic carbon chains comprise saturated bonds,unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms. In some alternatives, the acrylatecomprises two acrylate groups and is a diacrylate. In some alternatives,the diacrylate is poly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA)poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate (PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol)575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) ordiethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). In some alternatives, the at leastone acrylate and the at least one free primary amine or at least twosecondary amines of the at least one drug are at a molar ratio of1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 acrylate to drug or anyother ratio within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprises a molecular weightof at least or equal to 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000,10000 g/mol, or any other molecular weight within a range defined by anytwo of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reactingstep is performed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25°C., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70°C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C.,115° C. or 120° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting isperformed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30°C. or 35° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a catalyst. In some alternatives, thecatalyst is TEMED. In some alternatives, the TEMED is at a 1%, 2%, 3%,4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of TEMED to reaction mixture or anyw/w percent within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is ammoniumpersulfate. In some alternatives, the concentration of ammoniumpersulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10%w/w of ammonium sulfate to reaction mixture or any concentration withina range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the cross-linking is performed in the presence of a UVradiation source. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is alight-activated free radical initiator. In some alternatives, thelight-activated free radical initiator is DMPA. In some alternatives,the DMPA is at a concentration that is at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% or 1%v/v of DMPA in the reaction mixture or any concentration within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the cross-linking is performed in the presence of a UV radiation sourcefor at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the reacting step comprises an additionreaction between the at least one free primary amine group of at leastone drug or the at least one secondary amine group of the at least onedrug with the at least one acrylate. In some alternatives, the at leastone free primary amine group or at least one secondary amine group ispresent on a peptide. In some alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10drugs are polymerized to the at least one acrylate, thereby producing atleast 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least one primary aminegroup or at least one secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the at least one primary amine group orthe at least one secondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,or 10 drugs participates in an addition reaction with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, Anthracyclines, γ-Aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, Amino acid derivatives, Aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction. anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, orpsychostimulants, platelet aggregation inhibitors, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine and tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the methodfurther comprises providing a second drug, wherein, the second drugcomprises at least one amine group. In some alternatives, the seconddrug comprises at least two additional secondary amine groups one freeamine group is a free primary amine group. In some alternatives, the atleast one amine group of the second drug is a secondary amine group. Insome alternatives, the second drug further comprises at least twosecondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate,and an amine sum total comprising a sum total of the at least primaryand/or secondary amines of the at least one or two drugs are at a molarratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1diacrylate:amine sum total or any other ratio within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the seconddrug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics,Anthracyclines, γ-Aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, Amino acidderivatives, Aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin,chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof,protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction. anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, orpsychostimulants, platelet aggregation inhibitors, an anti-HIV drug, anantiviral, an analgesic, an antibiotic, an anti-fungal, pregablin,glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine and tenofovir,valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine,memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir.In some alternatives, the reacting step is performed for at least orequal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, orwithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method further comprises purifying the hydrogelprodrug. In some alternatives, the method further comprises stopping thecross-linking step before the purification step. In some alternatives,the stopping is performed by adding hydrochloric acid. In somealternatives, the method further comprises stopping the polymerizationaction before the purification step, wherein, the method is stopped bylowering the temperature to at least or equal to 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7°C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. or any temperature within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values, or any temperature lower than theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method reaction furthercomprises monitoring the cross-linking step, wherein, the monitoring isperformed by obtaining a sample of the reaction mixture and subjectingthe reaction mixture to FTIR. In some alternatives, the at least onedrug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin,gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing achemical spacer comprising at least one free primary amine group or atleast one secondary amine group, wherein, the chemical spacer is aspacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrug. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer comprises at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is provided at a ratioof the chemical spacer to the at least one drug of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1,10:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 orany other ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drug in between anytwo aforementioned ratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least one primary amine group of the chemicalspacer or at least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer isattached to a carbon chain. In some alternatives, the spacer comprisesisobutylamine. In some alternatives, the carbon chain can have at leastor equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number ofcarbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain has substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains compriseheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is added to theat least one acrylate prior to reacting the at least one drug with theat least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer, at least one acrylate, and at leastone drug are all reacted simultaneously to form at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the reacting step. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step comprises cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises thepolymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent prior toadding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In some alternatives,the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In some alternatives, thesolvent does not contain a buffer with an amine group such as Tris. Insome alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent. In somealternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the polymer structure terminates withacrylate ends. In some alternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises amolecular weight of at least or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000,30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da orany molecular weight within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises washing the hydrogel prodrug with ethanol or another solventto remove unwanted or unreacted material. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stretching or compressing the hydrogel prodrugto a desired shape. In some alternatives, the cross-linking step isperformed in a mold such that the hydrogel prodrug comprises a finaldesired shape, such as a tablet, a film, a dressing or a scaffold. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is compressed into a film forapplication to a surface area, such as a dressing or shaped into ascaffold or support. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isprocessed into a solid capsule, implant, microparticle or a pill. Ahydrogel prodrug made by any one of the alternatives herein is provided.The hydrogel prodrug comprises: at least one drug and at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 different drugs. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug,neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic,statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portionthereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid,antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics,analgesics, antiepileptics, antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction.anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, or psychostimulants, platelet aggregation inhibitors, ananti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatirameracetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine and tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG,insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir,tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, thehydrogel prodrug comprises a chemical spacer. In some alternatives, thehydrogel prodrug is compressed into a film for application to a surfacearea, such as a dressing or shaped into a scaffold or support. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is processed into a solid capsule,implant, microparticle or a pill.

A hydrogel prodrug made by any one of the alternatives herein isprovided. The hydrogel prodrug comprises: at least one drug and at leastone acrylate. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 different drugs. In some alternatives, thehydrogel prodrug comprises a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-baseddrug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic,statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portionthereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid,antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics,analgesics, antiepileptics, antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction.anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, or psychostimulants, platelet aggregation inhibitors, ananti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatirameracetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine and tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG,insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir,tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, thehydrogel prodrug comprises a chemical spacer. In some alternatives, thehydrogel prodrug is compressed into a film for application to a surfacearea, such as a dressing or shaped into a scaffold or support. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is processed into a solid capsule,implant, microparticle or a pill.

In some alternatives, a hydrogel prodrug delivery system is provided,comprising; the hydrogel prodrug manufactured by any one of thealternatives herein. The method of making a hydrogel prodrug cancomprise providing at least one drug that comprises at least one aminegroup, providing at least one acrylate, reacting said at least oneacrylate with the at least one amine group of the at least one drug,thereby producing at least one polymer prodrug, wherein, the reactingcomprises a polymerization reaction and cross-linking said at least onepolymer prodrug in the presence of a free radical initiator in areaction mixture, thereby making the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, thehydrogel prodrug comprises a backbone structure, wherein, the backbonestructure comprises polymerized polymer prodrug. A method of making ahydrogel prodrug is provided. The method can include the following:providing at least one drug that comprises at least one amine group,providing at least one acrylate, reacting said at least one acrylatewith the at least one amine group or at least two secondary amine groupsof the at least one drug, thereby producing at least one polymerprodrug, wherein, the reacting comprises a polymerization reaction andcross-linking said at least one polymer prodrug in the presence of afree radical initiator in a reaction mixture, thereby making thehydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a backbonestructure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises polymerized polymerprodrug. In some alternatives, the at least one amine group is a freeprimary amine group. In some alternatives, the at least one amine groupis a secondary amine group. In some alternatives, the at least one aminegroup comprises at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the method comprises reacting the at least one acrylatewith the at least two secondary amine groups of the at least one drug.In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing at leastone primary amine and/or at least one secondary amine. In somealternatives, the at least one acrylate comprises at least one acrylategroup. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate group is bound byan ester linkage to an opposing termini of a carbon chain, wherein, thecarbon chain comprises at least or equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60,70, 80, 90 or 100 carbon atoms, or any number of carbon atoms within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the carbon chain comprises substituted heteroatoms,unsubstituted heteroatoms, unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, saturatedcarbon-carbon bonds, branched substitutions, unbranched substitutionsand/or cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the cyclic carbonchains comprise saturated bonds, unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms.In some alternatives, the acrylate comprises two acrylate groups and isa diacrylate. In some alternatives, the diacrylate is poly(ethyleneglycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate(PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). Insome alternatives, the at least one acrylate and the at least one freeprimary amine or at least two secondary amines of the at least one drugare at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1acrylate to drug or any other ratio within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprisesa molecular weight of 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000, 10000,g/mol, or any other molecular weight within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting step isperformed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30°C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75°C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C., 115° C.or 120° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values listed. In some alternatives, the reacting isperformed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30°C. or 35° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values listed. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a catalyst. In some alternatives, thecatalyst is TEMED. In some alternatives, the TEMED is at a 1%, 2%, 3%,4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of TEMED to reaction mixture or anyw/w percent within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is ammoniumpersulfate. In some alternatives, the concentration of ammoniumpersulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10%w/w of ammonium sulfate to reaction mixture or any concentration withina range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the cross-linking is performed in the presence of a UVradiation source. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is alight-activated free radical initiator. In some alternatives, thelight-activated free radical initiator is DMPA. In some alternatives, Insome alternatives, the DMPA is at a concentration is at 0.2%, 0.4%,0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v of DMPA in the reaction mixture or anyconcentration within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the cross-linking is performed in thepresence of a UV radiation source for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or any amount of time within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, thereacting step comprises an addition reaction between the at least onefree primary amine group of at least one drug or the at least onesecondary amine group of the at least one drug with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one free primary aminegroup or at least one secondary amine group is present on a peptide. Insome alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs are polymerized tothe at least one acrylate, thereby producing at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or10 drugs comprise at least one primary amine group or at least onesecondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the at least one primary amine group or the at least onesecondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 drugsparticipates in an addition reaction with the at least one acrylate. Insome alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acid analogue,amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutic, anthracycline, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drug, amino acid derivative, aminated benzoic acidderivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic, antiepileptic, antiviral,anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug, contraceptive,diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor, psychostimulant, plateletaggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal,pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir,valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine,memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir.In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing a seconddrug, wherein, the second drug comprises at least one amine group. Insome alternatives, the at least one free amine group is a free primaryamine group. In some alternatives, the at least one amine group of thesecond drug is a secondary amine group. In some alternatives, the seconddrug further comprises at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the at least one acrylate, and an amine sum totalcomprising a sum total of the at least primary and/or secondary aminesof the at least one or two drugs are at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1,1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 diacrylate:amine sum total or anyother ratio within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the second drug is a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the reactingstep is performed for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, or any time within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives the proteinis insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises purifying the hydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stopping the cross-linking step before thepurification step. In some alternatives, the stopping is performed byadding hydrochloric acid. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises stopping the polymerization action before the purificationstep, wherein, the method is stopped by lowering the temperature to atleast or equal to 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. orany temperature within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues, or any temperature lower than the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method reaction further comprises monitoring thecross-linking step, wherein, the monitoring is performed by obtaining asample of the reaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture toFTIR. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the second drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing achemical spacer comprising at least one free primary amine group or atleast one secondary amine group, wherein, the chemical spacer is aspacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrug. In somealternatives, the spacer comprises isobutylamine. In some alternatives,the chemical spacer comprises at least two secondary amine groups. Insome alternatives, the chemical spacer is provided at a ratio ofchemical spacer to at least one drug ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1, 10:1,20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 or anyother ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drug in between any twoaforementioned ratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least primary amine group of the chemical spacer orat least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer is attached toa carbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprise at leastor equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number ofcarbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprises substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains compriseheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is added to theat least one acrylate prior to reacting the at least one drug with theat least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer, at least one acrylate, and at leastone drug are all reacted simultaneously to form at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the reacting step. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step comprises cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises thepolymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent prior toadding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In some alternatives,the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In some alternatives, thesolvent does not contain a buffer with an amine group such as Tris. Insome alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent. In somealternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates between any two aforementioned numbers. In some alternatives,the polymer structure terminates with acrylate ends. In somealternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises a molecular weight of atleast or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000,60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da or any molecular weightwithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method further comprises washing the hydrogel prodrugwith ethanol or another solvent to remove unwanted or unreactedmaterial. In some alternatives, the method further comprises stretchingor compressing the hydrogel prodrug to a desired shape. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step is performed in a mold such thatthe hydrogel prodrug comprises a final desired shape, such as a tablet,a film, a dressing or a scaffold. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug is compressed into a film for application to a surface area,such as a dressing or shaped into a scaffold or support. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is processed into a solid capsule,implant, microparticle or a pill. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of atleast or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hoursor 64 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by any twoaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of at leastor equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or128 days, or any number of days within a range defined by any twoaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of at leastor equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two aforementioned values.In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing a targetingmoiety and incorporating or linking the targeting moiety to the at leastone polymer prodrug. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a ligand on an organ, tissue or a cell. In somealternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a surface proteinthat is expressed during manifestation of a disease. In somealternatives, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease, a neurologicaldisease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or a cancer antigen. In somealternatives, the tumor is a solid tumor. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a ligand on a tumor. In somealternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a cancer antigen. Insome alternatives, the cancer antigen is EGFR, HER2, Mesothelin, cancertestis antigens, LlCAM, o-acetylated GD2, GD2, neoantigens, Var2,glypican-2 (GPC2), HPV antigens, alphafetoprotein, carcinoembryonicantigen, CA-125, MUC-1, epithelial tumor antigen, abnormal products ofras or p53, EphA2, MAGE-A3, MAGE-A4, MAGE-C2, PRAME, SSX2, adipophilin,AIM2, ALDH1A1, BCLX, EpCAM, CS274, CPSF, cyclin D1, DKK1, ENAH, EpCAM,EphA3, EZH2, FGF5, glypican-3, G250, HLA-DOB, Hepsin, ID01, IGF2B3,IL13Ralpha2, Intestinal carboxylesterase, alpha-foetoprotein,kallikrein4, KIF20A, Lengsin, M-CSF, MCSP, mdm-2, Meloe, midkine, MMP-2,MMP-7, MUC1, MUC5AC, p53, PAX5, PBF, PRAME, PSMA, RAGE-1, RGS5, RhoC,RNF43, RUF43, FU2AS, secernin 1, SOX10, STEAP1, survivin, telomerase,TPBG, VEGF, WT1, NY-ESO-1 or ROR1. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug is formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 hours or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated torelease for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30,40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 days or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for at least or equal to1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives of the system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a peptide. Insome alternatives of the system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises at leastone drug. In some alternatives of the system, the at least one drugcomprises a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutic,anthracycline, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drug, amino acid derivative,aminated benzoic acid derivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic,antiepileptic, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptive, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor,psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives of the system,the hydrogel prodrug comprises a second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth,seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug. In some alternatives of thesystem, the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninthor tenth drug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug,neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutic,anthracycline, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drug, amino acid derivative,aminated benzoic acid derivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic,antiepileptic, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptive, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor,psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives of the system,the hydrogel prodrug comprises at least one acrylate. In somealternatives of the system, the at least one acrylate group is bound byan ester linkage to an opposing termini of a carbon chain, wherein, thecarbon chain comprises at least or equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60,70, 80, 90 or 100 carbon atoms, or any number of carbon atoms within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives of the system, the carbon chain comprises substitutedheteroatoms, unsubstituted heteroatoms, unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds,saturated carbon-carbon bonds, branched substitutions, unbranchedsubstitutions and/or cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives of thesystem, the cyclic carbon chains comprise saturated bonds, unsaturatedbonds and/or heteroatoms. In some alternatives of the system, theacrylate comprises at least two acrylate groups and is a diacrylate. Insome alternatives of the system, the diacrylate is poly(ethylene glycol)250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate(PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). Insome alternatives of the system, the acrylate comprises a molecularweight of at least or equal to 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500,5000, 10000, g/mol, or any other molecular weight within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives of thesystem, the at least one drug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine,cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a bindingfragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin,procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In somealternatives of the system, the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth,seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives of the system, the hydrogel prodrug furthercomprises a spacer. In some alternatives of the system, the spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives of the system, the spacer comprises a carbon chain. In somealternatives of the system, the carbon chain comprises at least or equalto 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number of carbon atomswithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives of the system, the carbon chain comprises substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives of the system, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In somealternatives of the system, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbonchains are unsaturated. In some alternatives of the system, the branchedor unbranched cyclic carbon chains comprise heteroatoms. In somealternatives of the system, the hydrogel prodrug is a compressed sheet,film, incorporated into a scaffold, support or a dressing. In somealternatives of the system, the hydrogel prodrug is shaped into atablet, an implantable device, microparticle or a pill. In somealternatives of the system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives of the system, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure, wherein, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecules, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to the vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives of the system, the polymer structure terminates withacrylate ends. In some alternatives of the system, the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure and wherein, the drug iscovalently linked between two acrylates. In some alternatives of thesystem, the spacer is in between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,15, 20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any integerbetween any two numbers listed. In some alternatives of the system, thehydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time to release drugs for aperiod of at least or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 16hours, 32 hours or 64 hours or any amount of time within a range definedby any two aforementioned values. In some alternatives of the system,the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time to release drugs for aperiod of at least or equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 8 days, 16 days,32 days, 64 days or 128 days, or any number of days within a rangedefined by any two aforementioned values. In some alternatives of thesystem, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time to releasedrugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4 months,8 months, 12 months, or any amount of time within a range defined by anytwo aforementioned values. In some alternatives of the system, thehydrogel prodrug comprises a targeting moiety. In some alternatives ofthe system, the targeting moiety is specific for a ligand on an organ,tissue or a cell. In some alternatives of the system, the targetingmoiety is specific for a surface protein that is expressed duringmanifestation of a disease. In some alternatives of the system, thedisease is cancer, cardiac disease, a neurological disease or a skindisease. In some alternatives of the system, the targeting moiety isspecific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or a cancer antigen In somealternatives of the system, the tumor is a solid tumor. In somealternatives of the system, the system further comprises excipients.Excipients are used with the hydrogel prodrug or hydrogel prodrug systemwhen they are used in injections, for example. In some alternatives, theexcipient is a sugar, lactose, sucrose, mannitol, sorbitol, cellulosepreparations of maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch,gelatin, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose,hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, water,saline, dextrose, mannitol, lactose, lecithin, albumin, sodiumglutamate, cysteine hydrochloride, and the like. In addition, ifdesired, the injectable pharmaceutical formulations can contain minoramounts of nontoxic auxiliary substances, such as wetting agents, pHbuffering agents, and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). In somealternatives of the system, the system further comprises a solution. Insome alternatives, hydrogel prodrugs can be formulated in solutions,preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hanks'solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological saline buffer. For suchtransmucosal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to bepermeated are used with the system. Such penetrants are generally knownin the art. Use of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers to formulate theingredients herein disclosed for the practice of the invention intodosages suitable for systemic administration is within the scope of theinvention. With proper choice of carrier and suitable manufacturingpractice, the hydrogel prodrug disclosed herein, in particular, thoseformulated for intravenous injection of hydrogel prodrug microparticles.In some alternatives, the system further comprises a bioadhesive to beused with the hydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug is formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 hours or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated torelease for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30,40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 days or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for at least or equal to1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values.

In some alternatives, a method of making a hydrogel prodrug compositioncomprising at least two drugs is provided. In some embodiments, themethod of making a hydrogel prodrug composition comprising at least twodrugs comprises providing a first hydrogel prodrug manufactured byanyone of the alternatives described herein, providing a second hydrogelprodrug manufactured by anyone of the alternatives described herein,blending the first and second hydrogel prodrugs to form a mixture; andcross-linking the first and second hydrogel prodrugs thereby forming ahydrogel prodrug composition comprising at least two drugs. The firstand second hydrogel manufactured by any one of the alternatives herein.The method of making a hydrogel prodrug can comprise providing at leastone drug that comprises at least one amine group, providing at least oneacrylate, reacting said at least one acrylate with the at least oneamine group of the at least one drug, thereby producing at least onepolymer prodrug, wherein, the reacting comprises a polymerizationreaction and cross-linking said at least one polymer prodrug in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprisespolymerized polymer prodrug. In some alternatives, the at least oneamine group is a free primary amine group. In some alternatives, the atleast one amine group is a secondary amine group. In some alternatives,the at least one amine group comprises at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the method comprises reacting the at leastone acrylate with the at least two secondary amine groups of the atleast one drug. In some alternatives, the method further comprisesproviding at least one primary amine and/or at least one secondaryamine. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate comprises atleast one acrylate group. In some alternatives, the at least oneacrylate group is bound by an ester linkage to an opposing termini of acarbon chain, wherein, the carbon chain comprises at least or equal to1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 carbon atoms, or any numberof carbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprises substitutedheteroatoms, unsubstituted heteroatoms, unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds,saturated carbon-carbon bonds, branched substitutions, unbranchedsubstitutions and/or cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, thecyclic carbon chains comprise saturated bonds, unsaturated bonds and/orheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprises two acrylategroups and is a diacrylate. In some alternatives, the diacrylate ispoly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol)400 diacrylate (PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate(PEG575DA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycoldiacrylate (DEGDA). In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate andthe at least one free primary amine or at least two secondary amines ofthe at least one drug are at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1,1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 acrylate to drug or any other ratio within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the acrylate comprises a molecular weight of at least orequal to 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000, 10000, g/mol, orany other molecular weight within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting step isperformed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30°C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75°C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C., 115° C.or 120° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values listed. In some alternatives, the reacting isperformed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30°C. or 35° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values listed. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a catalyst. In some alternatives, thecatalyst is TEMED. In some alternatives, the TEMED is at a 1%, 2%, 3%,4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of TEMED to reaction mixture or anyw/w percent within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is ammoniumpersulfate. In some alternatives, the concentration of ammoniumpersulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10%w/w of ammonium sulfate to reaction mixture or any concentration withina range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the cross-linking is performed in the presence of a UVradiation source. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is alight-activated free radical initiator. In some alternatives, thelight-activated free radical initiator is DMPA. In some alternatives, Insome alternatives, the DMPA is at a concentration is at 0.2%, 0.4%,0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v of DMPA in the reaction mixture or anyconcentration within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the cross-linking is performed in thepresence of a UV radiation source for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or any amount of time within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, thereacting step comprises an addition reaction between the at least onefree primary amine group of at least one drug or the at least onesecondary amine group of the at least one drug with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one free primary aminegroup or at least one secondary amine group is present on a peptide. Insome alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs are polymerized tothe at least one acrylate, thereby producing at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or10 drugs comprise at least one primary amine group or at least onesecondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the at least one primary amine group or the at least onesecondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 drugsparticipates in an addition reaction with the at least one acrylate. Insome alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acid analogue,amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutic, anthracycline, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drug, amino acid derivative, aminated benzoic acidderivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic, antiepileptic, antiviral,anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug, contraceptive,diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor, psychostimulant, plateletaggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal,pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir,valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine,memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir.In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing a seconddrug, wherein, the second drug comprises at least one amine group. Insome alternatives, the at least one free amine group is a free primaryamine group. In some alternatives, the at least one amine group of thesecond drug is a secondary amine group. In some alternatives, the seconddrug further comprises at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the at least one acrylate, and an amine sum totalcomprising a sum total of the at least primary and/or secondary aminesof the at least one or two drugs are at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1,1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 diacrylate:amine sum total or anyother ratio within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the second drug is a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the reactingstep is performed for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, or any time within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives the proteinis insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises purifying the hydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stopping the cross-linking step before thepurification step. In some alternatives, the stopping is performed byadding hydrochloric acid. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises stopping the polymerization action before the purificationstep, wherein, the method is stopped by lowering the temperature to atleast or equal to 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. orany temperature within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues, or any temperature lower than the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method reaction further comprises monitoring thecross-linking step, wherein, the monitoring is performed by obtaining asample of the reaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture toFTIR. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the second drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing achemical spacer comprising at least one free primary amine group or atleast one secondary amine group, wherein, the chemical spacer is aspacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrug. In somealternatives, the spacer comprises isobutylamine. In some alternatives,the chemical spacer comprises at least two secondary amine groups. Insome alternatives, the chemical spacer is provided at a ratio ofchemical spacer to at least one drug ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1, 10:1,20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 or anyother ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drug in between any twoaforementioned ratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least primary amine group of the chemical spacer orat least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer is attached toa carbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprise at leastor equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number ofcarbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprises substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains compriseheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is added to theat least one acrylate prior to reacting the at least one drug with theat least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer, at least one acrylate, and at leastone drug are all reacted simultaneously to form at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the reacting step. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step comprises cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises thepolymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent prior toadding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In some alternatives,the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In some alternatives, thesolvent does not contain a buffer with an amine group such as Tris. Insome alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent. In somealternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates between any two aforementioned numbers. In some alternatives,the polymer structure terminates with acrylate ends. In somealternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises a molecular weight of atleast or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000,60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da or any molecular weightwithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method further comprises washing the hydrogel prodrugwith ethanol or another solvent to remove unwanted or unreactedmaterial. In some alternatives, the method further comprises stretchingor compressing the hydrogel prodrug to a desired shape. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step is performed in a mold such thatthe hydrogel prodrug comprises a final desired shape, such as a tablet,a film, a dressing or a scaffold. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug is compressed into a film for application to a surface area,such as a dressing or shaped into a scaffold or support. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is processed into a solid capsule,implant, microparticle or a pill. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of atleast or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hoursor 64 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by any twoaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of at leastor equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or128 days, or any number of days within a range defined by any twoaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of at leastor equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two aforementioned values.In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing a targetingmoiety and incorporating or linking the targeting moiety to the at leastone polymer prodrug. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a ligand on an organ, tissue or a cell. In somealternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a surface proteinthat is expressed during manifestation of a disease. In somealternatives, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease, a neurologicaldisease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or a cancer antigen. In somealternatives, the tumor is a solid tumor. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a ligand on a tumor. In somealternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a cancer antigen. Insome alternatives, the cancer antigen is EGFR, HER2, Mesothelin, cancertestis antigens, LlCAM, o-acetylated GD2, GD2, neoantigens, Var2,glypican-2 (GPC2), HPV antigens, alphafetoprotein, carcinoembryonicantigen, CA-125, MUC-1, epithelial tumor antigen, abnormal products ofras or p53, EphA2, MAGE-A3, MAGE-A4, MAGE-C2, PRAME, SSX2, adipophilin,AIM2, ALDH1A1, BCLX, EpCAM, CS274, CPSF, cyclin D1, DKK1, ENAH, EpCAM,EphA3, EZH2, FGF5, glypican-3, G250, HLA-DOB, Hepsin, ID01, IGF2B3,IL13Ralpha2, Intestinal carboxylesterase, alpha-foetoprotein,kallikrein4, KIF20A, Lengsin, M-CSF, MCSP, mdm-2, Meloe, midkine, MMP-2,MMP-7, MUC1, MUC5AC, p53, PAX5, PBF, PRAME, PSMA, RAGE-1, RGS5, RhoC,RNF43, RUF43, FU2AS, secernin 1, SOX10, STEAP1, survivin, telomerase,TPBG, VEGF, WT1, NY-ESO-1 or ROR1. In some alternative of the method ofmaking a hydrogel prodrug composition, the first or second hydrogelprodrug comprises a peptide. In some alternative of the method of makinga hydrogel prodrug composition, the first or second hydrogel prodrugcomprises at least one drug. In some alternative of the method of makinga hydrogel prodrug composition, the at least one drug comprises anucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist,platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines,γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminatedbenzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, thefirst or second hydrogel prodrug comprises a second, third, fourth,fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug. In some alternativeof the method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, the second,third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug is anucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist,platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines,γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminatedbenzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, thefirst or second hydrogel prodrug comprises at least one acrylate. Insome alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition,the at least one acrylate is a diacrylate. In some alternative of themethod of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, the diacrylate ispoly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol)400 diacrylate (PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate(PEG575DA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycoldiacrylate (DEGDA). In some alternative of the method of making ahydrogel prodrug composition, the at least one drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrugcomposition, the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth,ninth or tenth drug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin,doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof,insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir,tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternative of themethod of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, the first or secondhydrogel prodrug further comprises a spacer group. In some alternativeof the method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, the spacercomprises at least primary amine group or at least one secondary aminegroup of the chemical spacer is attached to a carbon chain. In somealternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, thecarbon chain comprises at least or equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30carbon atoms or any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by anytwo of the aforementioned values. In some alternative of the method ofmaking a hydrogel prodrug composition, the carbon chain comprisessubstituted heterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbonbonds, unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternative of the method ofmaking a hydrogel prodrug composition, the branched or unbranched cycliccarbon chains are saturated. In some alternative of the method of makinga hydrogel prodrug composition, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbonchains are unsaturated. In some alternative of the method of making ahydrogel prodrug composition, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbonchains comprise heteroatoms. In some alternative of the method of makinga hydrogel prodrug composition, the first or second hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly(beta amino ester) (PBAE). In some alternative of the method of making ahydrogel prodrug composition, the first or second hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure, wherein, the drug is incorporated intothe polymer structure. In some alternative of the method of making ahydrogel prodrug composition, the polymer structure terminates withacrylate ends. In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogelprodrug composition, the drug is incorporated into the polymerstructure, wherein, the drug is covalently linked between two acrylates.In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrugcomposition, the spacer is in between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10 15, 20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any integerbetween any two values listed. In some alternative of the method ofmaking a hydrogel prodrug composition, the method further comprisesproviding a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenthhydrogel prodrug and blending the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh,eighth, ninth or tenth hydrogel prodrug with the first and secondhydrogel prodrug during the blending step. In some alternative of themethod of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, the hydrogel prodrugcomposition comprises a degradation time to release drugs for a periodof at least or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32hours or 64 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by anytwo aforementioned values. In some alternative of the method of making ahydrogel prodrug composition, the hydrogel prodrug composition comprisesa degradation time to release drugs for a period of at least or equal to1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or 128 days, orany number of days within a range defined by any two aforementionedvalues. In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrugcomposition, the hydrogel prodrug composition comprises a degradationtime to release drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 month, 2months, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, or any amount of time within arange defined by any two aforementioned values. In some alternative ofthe method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, the first, second,third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and/or tenthhydrogel prodrug further comprises providing a targeting moiety. In somealternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, thetargeting moiety is specific for a ligand on an organ, tissue or a cell.In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrugcomposition, the targeting moiety is specific for a surface protein thatis expressed during manifestation of a disease. In some alternative ofthe method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, the disease iscancer, cardiac disease, a neurological disease or a skin disease. Insome alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition,the targeting moiety is specific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or acancer antigen. In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogelprodrug composition, the tumor is a solid tumor. In some alternatives, ahydrogel prodrug composition manufactured by any one of the alternativesherein is provided. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isformulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 hours or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for at leastor equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80,90 or 100 days or any amount of time within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugis formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months or any amount of time within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. A hydrogel prodrug compositioncomprising at least two drugs is provided, which is made of any one ofthe alternative methods described herein. The hydrogel prodrugcomposition comprises at least two drugs. The at least two drugscomprise a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics,Anthracyclines, γ-Aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, Amino acidderivatives, Aminated benzoic acid derivatives, Proteins, antibiotic,statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portionthereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid,antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, Cholesterol regulator, Anesthetics,Analgesics, Antiepileptics, Antivirals, Anti-erectile dysfunction.Anti-arthritic drug, Contraceptives, Diabetes medication, Enzymeinhibitors, or Psychostimulants, Platelet aggregation inhibitors, ananti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatirameracetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine and/or tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the composition comprises a second, third, fourth, fifth,sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug. In some alternatives, thesecond, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenthdrug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics,Anthracyclines, γ-Aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, Amino acidderivatives, Aminated benzoic acid derivatives, Proteins, antibiotic,statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portionthereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid,antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, Cholesterol regulator, Anesthetics,Analgesics, Antiepileptics, Antivirals, Anti-erectile dysfunction.Anti-arthritic drug, Contraceptives, Diabetes medication, Enzymeinhibitors, or Psychostimulants, Platelet aggregation inhibitors, ananti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatirameracetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine and/or tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh,eighth, ninth or tenth drug is a nucleic acid analogue, aminoester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics, Anthracyclines, γ-Aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,Amino acid derivatives, Aminated benzoic acid derivatives, Proteins,antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibodyor portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone,steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, Cholesterol regulator,Anesthetics, Analgesics, Antiepileptics, Antivirals, Anti-erectiledysfunction. Anti-arthritic drug, Contraceptives, Diabetes medication,Enzyme inhibitors, or Psychostimulants, Platelet aggregation inhibitors,an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatirameracetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine and/or tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh,eighth, ninth or tenth drug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine,cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG, insulin,levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamicacid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives of the composition,the composition comprises a spacer.

A hydrogel prodrug composition comprising at least two drugs isprovided, which is made of any one of the alternative methods describedherein. The hydrogel prodrug composition comprises at least two drugs.The at least two drugs comprise a nucleic acid analogue, aminoester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics, Anthracyclines, γ-Aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,Amino acid derivatives, Aminated benzoic acid derivatives, Proteins,antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibodyor portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone,steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, Cholesterol regulator,Anesthetics, Analgesics, Antiepileptics, Antivirals, Anti-erectiledysfunction. Anti-arthritic drug, Contraceptives, Diabetes medication,Enzyme inhibitors, or Psychostimulants, Platelet aggregation inhibitors,an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatirameracetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine and/or tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the composition comprises a second, third, fourth, fifth,sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug. In some alternatives, thesecond, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenthdrug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics,Anthracyclines, γ-Aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, Amino acidderivatives, Aminated benzoic acid derivatives, Proteins, antibiotic,statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portionthereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid,antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, Cholesterol regulator, Anesthetics,Analgesics, Antiepileptics, Antivirals, Anti-erectile dysfunction.Anti-arthritic drug, Contraceptives, Diabetes medication, Enzymeinhibitors, or Psychostimulants, Platelet aggregation inhibitors, ananti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatirameracetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine and/or tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh,eighth, ninth or tenth drug is a nucleic acid analogue, aminoester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics, Anthracyclines, γ-Aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,Amino acid derivatives, Aminated benzoic acid derivatives, Proteins,antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibodyor portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone,steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, Cholesterol regulator,Anesthetics, Analgesics, Antiepileptics, Antivirals, Anti-erectiledysfunction. Anti-arthritic drug, Contraceptives, Diabetes medication,Enzyme inhibitors, or Psychostimulants, Platelet aggregation inhibitors,an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatirameracetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine and/or tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh,eighth, ninth or tenth drug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine,cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG, insulin,levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamicacid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives of the composition,the composition comprises a spacer.

In some alternatives, a method of ameliorating or inhibiting cancer,HIV, a viral infection, pain, a bacterial infection, a neurologicaldisorder, hemorrhaging, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, high bloodpressure, Alzheimer's, or inhibiting a fungal growth in a subject inneed is provided. The method can comprise delivering the hydrogelprodrug manufactured by any one of the alternatives herein, the hydrogelprodrug system of any one of any one of the alternatives herein, thehydrogel prodrug composition manufactured by any one of the alternativesherein, the hydrogel prodrug of any one of the alternatives herein orthe hydrogel prodrug composition of any one of the alternatives herein.In some alternatives of the method, the hydrogel prodrug or the hydrogelprodrug composition comprises a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-baseddrug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic,statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portionthereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid,antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics,analgesics, antiepileptics, antivirals, anti-erectile dysfunction.anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, or psychostimulants, platelet aggregation inhibitors, ananti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatirameracetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine and/or tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives of the method, the hydrogel prodrug or the hydrogel prodrugcomposition comprises acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin,doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof,insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir,tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives of themethod, the hydrogel prodrug or the hydrogel prodrug composition is acompressed sheet, or incorporated into a scaffold, support or dressing.In some alternatives of the method, the hydrogel prodrug or the hydrogelprodrug composition is shaped into a capsule, a tablet, microparticle oran implantable device. In some alternatives of the method, the hydrogelprodrug or the hydrogel prodrug composition is delivered by applying thecompressed sheet directly to a skin surface. In some alternatives of themethod, the hydrogel prodrug or the hydrogel prodrug composition isapplied directly over a wound. In some alternatives of the method, thehydrogel prodrug or the hydrogel prodrug composition is an implantabledevice, and wherein, the implantable device is placed subcutaneously ata site of a tumor to provide sustained chemotherapeutic release. In somealternatives of the method, the hydrogel prodrug or the hydrogel prodrugcomposition is a microparticle, and wherein, the microparticle isinjected into a tissue. In some alternatives of the method, the subjectis selected to receive treatment with a hydrogel prodrug for controlledrelease of a drug. In some alternatives of the method, the subject issuffering from cancer, HIV, a viral infection, pain, a bacterialinfection, a neurological disorder, hemorrhaging, multiple sclerosis,diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer's, or a fungal growth. In somealternatives of the method, the subject is mammalian. In somealternatives of the method, the subject is a cow, sheep, pig, horse,dog, cat, primate or a human. The method of making a hydrogel prodrugcan comprise providing at least one drug that comprises at least oneamine group, providing at least one acrylate, reacting said at least oneacrylate with the at least one amine group of the at least one drug,thereby producing at least one polymer prodrug, wherein, the reactingcomprises a polymerization reaction and cross-linking said at least onepolymer prodrug in the presence of a free radical initiator in areaction mixture, thereby making the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, thehydrogel prodrug comprises a backbone structure, wherein, the backbonestructure comprises polymerized polymer prodrug. In some alternatives,the at least one amine group is a free primary amine group. In somealternatives, the at least one amine group is a secondary amine group.In some alternatives, the at least one amine group comprises at leasttwo secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the method comprisesreacting the at least one acrylate with the at least two secondary aminegroups of the at least one drug. In some alternatives, the methodfurther comprises providing at least one primary amine and/or at leastone secondary amine. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylatecomprises at least one acrylate group. In some alternatives, the atleast one acrylate group is bound by an ester linkage to an opposingtermini of a carbon chain, wherein, the carbon chain comprises at leastor equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 carbon atoms,or any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprisessubstituted heteroatoms, unsubstituted heteroatoms, unsaturatedcarbon-carbon bonds, saturated carbon-carbon bonds, branchedsubstitutions, unbranched substitutions and/or cyclic carbon chains. Insome alternatives, the cyclic carbon chains comprise saturated bonds,unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms. In some alternatives, the acrylatecomprises two acrylate groups and is a diacrylate. In some alternatives,the diacrylate is poly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA)poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate (PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol)575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) ordiethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). In some alternatives, the at leastone acrylate and the at least one free primary amine or at least twosecondary amines of the at least one drug are at a molar ratio of1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 acrylate to drug or anyother ratio within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprises a molecular weightof at least or equal to 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000,10000, g/mol, or any other molecular weight within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reactingstep is performed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25°C., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70°C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C.,115° C. or 120° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values listed. In some alternatives, the reactingis performed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C.,30° C. or 35° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values listed. In some alternatives, thecross-linking is performed in the presence of a catalyst. In somealternatives, the catalyst is TEMED. In some alternatives, the TEMED isat a 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of TEMED to reactionmixture or any w/w percent within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the free radical initiatoris ammonium persulfate. In some alternatives, the concentration ofammonium persulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%,9% or 10% w/w of ammonium sulfate to reaction mixture or anyconcentration within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the cross-linking is performed in thepresence of a UV radiation source. In some alternatives, the freeradical initiator is a light-activated free radical initiator. In somealternatives, the light-activated free radical initiator is DMPA. Insome alternatives, In some alternatives, the DMPA is at a concentrationis at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v of DMPA in the reaction mixtureor any concentration within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a UV radiation source for at least or equalto 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or any amount of time withina range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction betweenthe at least one free primary amine group of at least one drug or the atleast one secondary amine group of the at least one drug with the atleast one acrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one free primaryamine group or at least one secondary amine group is present on apeptide. In some alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs arepolymerized to the at least one acrylate, thereby producing at least 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least one primary amine group orat least one secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary amine groups.In some alternatives, the at least one primary amine group or the atleast one secondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10drugs participates in an addition reaction with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutic, anthracycline, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drug, amino acid derivative, aminated benzoic acidderivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic, antiepileptic, antiviral,anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug, contraceptive,diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor, psychostimulant, plateletaggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal,pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir,valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine,memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir.In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing a seconddrug, wherein, the second drug comprises at least one amine group. Insome alternatives, the at least one free amine group is a free primaryamine group. In some alternatives, the at least one amine group of thesecond drug is a secondary amine group. In some alternatives, the seconddrug further comprises at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the at least one acrylate, and an amine sum totalcomprising a sum total of the at least primary and/or secondary aminesof the at least one or two drugs are at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1,1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 diacrylate:amine sum total or anyother ratio within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the second drug is a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the reactingstep is performed for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, or any time within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives the proteinis insulin or lysozyme. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises purifying the hydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stopping the cross-linking step before thepurification step. In some alternatives, the stopping is performed byadding hydrochloric acid. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises stopping the polymerization action before the purificationstep, wherein, the method is stopped by lowering the temperature to atleast or equal to 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. orany temperature within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues, or any temperature lower than the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method reaction further comprises monitoring thecross-linking step, wherein, the monitoring is performed by obtaining asample of the reaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture toFTIR. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the second drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing achemical spacer comprising at least one free primary amine group or atleast one secondary amine group, wherein, the chemical spacer is aspacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrug. In somealternatives, the spacer comprises isobutylamine. In some alternatives,the chemical spacer comprises at least two secondary amine groups. Insome alternatives, the chemical spacer is provided at a ratio ofchemical spacer to at least one drug ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1, 10:1,20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 or anyother ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drug in between any twoaforementioned ratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least primary amine group of the chemical spacer orat least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer is attached toa carbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprise at leastor equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number ofcarbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprises substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains compriseheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is added to theat least one acrylate prior to reacting the at least one drug with theat least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer, at least one acrylate, and at leastone drug are all reacted simultaneously to form at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the reacting step. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step comprises cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises thepolymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent prior toadding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In some alternatives,the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In some alternatives, thesolvent does not contain a buffer with an amine group such as Tris. Insome alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent. In somealternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates between any two aforementioned numbers. In some alternatives,the polymer structure terminates with acrylate ends. In somealternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises a molecular weight of atleast or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000,60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da or any molecular weightwithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method further comprises washing the hydrogel prodrugwith ethanol or another solvent to remove unwanted or unreactedmaterial. In some alternatives, the method further comprises stretchingor compressing the hydrogel prodrug to a desired shape. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step is performed in a mold such thatthe hydrogel prodrug comprises a final desired shape, such as a tablet,a film, a dressing or a scaffold. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug is compressed into a film for application to a surface area,such as a dressing or shaped into a scaffold or support. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is processed into a solid capsule,implant, microparticle or a pill. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of atleast or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hoursor 64 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by any twoaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of at leastor equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or128 days, or any number of days within a range defined by any twoaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a degradation time to release drugs for a period of at leastor equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two aforementioned values.In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing a targetingmoiety and incorporating or linking the targeting moiety to the at leastone polymer prodrug. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a ligand on an organ, tissue or a cell. In somealternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a surface proteinthat is expressed during manifestation of a disease. In somealternatives, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease, a neurologicaldisease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or a cancer antigen. In somealternatives, the tumor is a solid tumor. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a ligand on a tumor. In somealternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a cancer antigen. Insome alternatives, the cancer antigen is EGFR, HER2, Mesothelin, cancertestis antigens, LlCAM, o-acetylated GD2, GD2, neoantigens, Var2,glypican-2 (GPC2), HPV antigens, alphafetoprotein, carcinoembryonicantigen, CA-125, MUC-1, epithelial tumor antigen, abnormal products ofras or p53, EphA2, MAGE-A3, MAGE-A4, MAGE-C2, PRAME, SSX2, adipophilin,AIM2, ALDH1A1, BCLX, EpCAM, CS274, CPSF, cyclin D1, DKK1, ENAH, EpCAM,EphA3, EZH2, FGF5, glypican-3, G250, HLA-DOB, Hepsin, ID01, IGF2B3,IL13Ralpha2, Intestinal carboxylesterase, alpha-foetoprotein,kallikrein4, KIF20A, Lengsin, M-CSF, MCSP, mdm-2, Meloe, midkine, MMP-2,MMP-7, MUC1, MUC5AC, p53, PAX5, PBF, PRAME, PSMA, RAGE-1, RGS5, RhoC,RNF43, RUF43, FU2AS, secernin 1, SOX10, STEAP1, survivin, telomerase,TPBG, VEGF, WT1, NY-ESO-1 or ROR1. In some alternatives, a hydrogelprodrug manufactured by any one of these alternatives is provided. Insome alternatives, hydrogel prodrug delivery system comprises thehydrogel prodrug manufactured by any one of the alternatives herein. Insome embodiments, the method of making a hydrogel prodrug compositioncomprising at least two drugs comprises providing a first hydrogelprodrug manufactured by anyone of the alternatives described herein,providing a second hydrogel prodrug manufactured by anyone of thealternatives described herein, blending the first and second hydrogelprodrugs to form a mixture; and cross-linking the first and secondhydrogel prodrugs thereby forming a hydrogel prodrug compositioncomprising at least two drugs. The first and second hydrogelmanufactured by any one of the alternatives herein. The method of makinga hydrogel prodrug can comprise providing at least one drug thatcomprises at least one amine group, providing at least one acrylate,reacting said at least one acrylate with the at least one amine group ofthe at least one drug, thereby producing at least one polymer prodrug,wherein, the reacting comprises a polymerization reaction andcross-linking said at least one polymer prodrug in the presence of afree radical initiator in a reaction mixture, thereby making thehydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a backbonestructure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises polymerized polymerprodrug. In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrugcomposition, the first or second hydrogel prodrug comprises a peptide.In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrugcomposition, the first or second hydrogel prodrug comprises at least onedrug. In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrugcomposition, the at least one drug comprises a nucleic acid analogue,amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternative of the methodof making a hydrogel prodrug composition, the first or second hydrogelprodrug comprises a second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh,eighth, ninth or tenth drug. In some alternative of the method of makinga hydrogel prodrug composition, the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth,seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug is a nucleic acid analogue, aminoester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic,statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portionthereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid,antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics,analgesics, antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, thefirst or second hydrogel prodrug comprises at least one acrylate. Insome alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition,the at least one acrylate is a diacrylate. In some alternative of themethod of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, the diacrylate ispoly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol)400 diacrylate (PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate(PEG575DA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycoldiacrylate (DEGDA). In some alternative of the method of making ahydrogel prodrug composition, the at least one drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrugcomposition, the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth,ninth or tenth drug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin,doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof,insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir,tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternative of themethod of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, the first or secondhydrogel prodrug further comprises a spacer group. In some alternativeof the method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, the spacercomprises at least primary amine group or at least one secondary aminegroup of the chemical spacer is attached to a carbon chain. In somealternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, thecarbon chain comprises at least or equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30carbon atoms or any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by anytwo of the aforementioned values. In some alternative of the method ofmaking a hydrogel prodrug composition, the carbon chain comprisessubstituted heterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbonbonds, unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternative of the method ofmaking a hydrogel prodrug composition, the branched or unbranched cycliccarbon chains are saturated. In some alternative of the method of makinga hydrogel prodrug composition, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbonchains are unsaturated. In some alternative of the method of making ahydrogel prodrug composition, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbonchains comprise heteroatoms. In some alternative of the method of makinga hydrogel prodrug composition, the first or second hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly(beta amino ester) (PBAE). In some alternative of the method of making ahydrogel prodrug composition, the first or second hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure, wherein, the drug is incorporated intothe polymer structure. In some alternative of the method of making ahydrogel prodrug composition, the polymer structure terminates withacrylate ends. In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogelprodrug composition, the drug is incorporated into the polymerstructure, wherein, the drug is covalently linked between two acrylates.In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrugcomposition, the spacer is in between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10 15, 20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any integerbetween any two values listed. In some alternative of the method ofmaking a hydrogel prodrug composition, the method further comprisesproviding a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenthhydrogel prodrug and blending the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh,eighth, ninth or tenth hydrogel prodrug with the first and secondhydrogel prodrug during the blending step. In some alternative of themethod of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, the hydrogel prodrugcomposition comprises a degradation time to release drugs for a periodof at least or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32hours or 64 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by anytwo aforementioned values. In some alternative of the method of making ahydrogel prodrug composition, the hydrogel prodrug composition comprisesa degradation time to release drugs for a period of at least or equal to1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or 128 days, orany number of days within a range defined by any two aforementionedvalues. In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrugcomposition, the hydrogel prodrug composition comprises a degradationtime to release drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 month, 2months, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, or any amount of time within arange defined by any two aforementioned values. In some alternative ofthe method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, the first, second,third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and/or tenthhydrogel prodrug further comprises providing a targeting moiety. In somealternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, thetargeting moiety is specific for a ligand on an organ, tissue or a cell.In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrugcomposition, the targeting moiety is specific for a surface protein thatis expressed during manifestation of a disease. In some alternative ofthe method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition, the disease iscancer, cardiac disease, a neurological disease or a skin disease. Insome alternative of the method of making a hydrogel prodrug composition,the targeting moiety is specific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or acancer antigen. In some alternative of the method of making a hydrogelprodrug composition, the tumor is a solid tumor. In some alternatives, ahydrogel prodrug composition manufactured by any one of the alternativesherein is provided. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isformulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 hours or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for at leastor equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80,90 or 100 days or any amount of time within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugis formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months or any amount of time within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values.

More Alternatives Polymer Prodrug

In some alternatives, a method of making a polymer prodrug is provided.The method can have the following steps: providing at least one drugthat comprises at least one free primary amine group, at least twosecondary amine group, and/or any combination thereof, providing atleast one acrylate and reacting said at least one acrylate with the atleast one primary amine group or at least two secondary amine groups ofthe at least one drug, thereby producing at least one polymer prodrug,wherein, the reacting comprises a polymerization reaction and the drugcomprises at least two secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises providing at least one primary amine and/or atleast one secondary amine. In some alternatives, the at least oneacrylate comprises at least one acrylate group. In some alternatives,the at least one acrylate group is bound by an ester linkage to anopposing termini of a carbon chain, wherein, the carbon chain comprisesat least or equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 carbonatoms, or any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the carbon chaincomprises substituted heteroatoms, unsubstituted heteroatoms,unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, saturated carbon-carbon bonds, branchedsubstitutions, unbranched substitutions and/or cyclic carbon chains. Insome alternatives, the cyclic carbon chains comprise saturated bonds,unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms. In some alternatives, the acrylatecomprises two acrylate groups and is a diacrylate. In some alternatives,the diacrylate is poly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA)poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate (PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol)575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) ordiethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). In some alternatives, the at leastone acrylate and the at least one free primary amine or at least twosecondary amines of the at least one drug are at a molar ratio of1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 acrylate to drug or anyother ratio within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprises a molecular weightof at least or equal to 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000,10000, g/mol, or any other molecular weight within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reactingstep is performed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25°C., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70°C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C.,115° C. or 120° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting isperformed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30°C. or 35° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting step comprisesan addition reaction between the at least one free primary amine groupof at least one drug or the at least one secondary amine group of the atleast one drug with the at least one acrylate. In some alternatives, theat least one free primary amine group or at least one secondary aminegroup is present on a peptide. In some alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9 or 10 drugs are polymerized to the at least one acrylate, therebyproducing at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In somealternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at leastone primary amine group or at least one secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at leasttwo secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the at least oneprimary amine group or the at least one secondary amine groups of the 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 drugs participates in an addition reactionwith the at least one acrylate. In some alternatives, the at least onedrug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutic,anthracycline, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drug, amino acid derivative,aminated benzoic acid derivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic,antiepileptic, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptive, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor,psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the methodfurther comprises providing a second drug, wherein, the second drugcomprises at least one additional free primary amine group, or at leastone additional secondary amine group and/or any combination thereof. Insome alternatives, the second drug comprises at least two additionalsecondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate,and an amine sum total comprising a sum total of the at least primaryand/or secondary amines of the at least one or two drugs are at a molarratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1diacrylate:amine sum total or any other ratio within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the seconddrug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutic,anthracycline, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drug, amino acid derivative,aminated benzoic acid derivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic,antiepileptic, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptive, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor,psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the reactingstep is performed for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, or any time within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the at leastone drug acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin,gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin,levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamicacid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, the second drugacyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin,ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine,oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, the at least one drug isdissolved in a solvent prior to adding the at least one drug to thereacting step. In some alternatives, the solvent is a polar solvent,such as water. In some alternatives, the solvent does not contain abuffer with an amine group such as Tris. In some alternatives, thesolvent is an organic solvent. In some alternatives, the organic solventis THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol,methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dimethylformamide,acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene or toluene. In some alternatives, theprimary amine of the drug is incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of the at least one acrylatemolecule, resulting in a tertiary amine within the polymer backbone, orwherein, two secondary amines of a drug molecule are each incorporatedinto the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinyl group of anacrylate molecule, resulting in two tertiary amines incorporated intothe polymer backbone. In some alternatives, the reacting step comprisesan addition reaction wherein, the at least one free primary amine groupor at least one secondary amine of the drug participate in an additionreaction with two acrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and thehydrogel prodrug comprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug isincorporated into the backbone structure and the at least one polymerprodrug is cross-linked to form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linkingthe terminal acrylate groups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hours or 64 hours or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or 128 days, or any number ofdays within a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4months, 8 months, 12 months, or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two aforementioned values. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises providing a targeting moiety and incorporatingor linking the targeting moiety to the at least one polymer prodrug. Insome alternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a ligand on anorgan, tissue or a cell. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a surface protein that is expressed during manifestation ofa disease. In some alternatives, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease,a neurological disease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or acancer antigen. In some alternatives, the tumor is a solid tumor. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for atleast or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80,80, 90 or 100 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by anytwo of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug is formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 days or any amountof time within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values.In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release forat least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months orany amount of time within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values.

Making a Hydrogel Prodrug

In some alternatives, a method of making a hydrogel prodrug is provided.The method can comprise: providing at least one drug that comprises atleast one amine group, providing at least one acrylate, reacting said atleast one acrylate with the at least one amine group or at least twosecondary amine groups of the at least one drug, thereby producing atleast one polymer prodrug, wherein, the reacting comprises apolymerization reaction and cross-linking said at least one polymerprodrug in the presence of a free radical initiator in a reactionmixture, thereby making the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a backbone structure, wherein, the backbone structurecomprises polymerized polymer prodrug. In some alternatives, the atleast one amine group is a free primary amine group. In somealternatives, the at least one amine group is a secondary amine groups.In some alternatives, the drug further at least one amine groupcomprises at least two secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, themethod comprises reacting the at least one acrylate with the at leasttwo secondary amine groups of the at least one drug. In somealternatives, the drug comprises at least two secondary amine groups. Insome alternatives, the method further comprises providing at least oneprimary amine and/or at least one secondary amine. In some alternatives,the at least one acrylate comprises at least one acrylate group. In somealternatives, the at least one acrylate group is bound by an esterlinkage to an opposing termini of a carbon chain, wherein, the carbonchain comprises at least or equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80,90 or 100 carbon atoms, or any number of carbon atoms within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the carbon chain comprises substituted heteroatoms, unsubstitutedheteroatoms, unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, saturated carbon-carbonbonds, branched substitutions, unbranched substitutions and/or cycliccarbon chains. In some alternatives, the cyclic carbon chains comprisesaturated bonds, unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms. In somealternatives, the acrylate comprises two acrylate groups and is adiacrylate. In some alternatives, the diacrylate is poly(ethyleneglycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate(PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). Insome alternatives, the at least one acrylate and the at least one freeprimary amine or at least two secondary amines of the at least one drugare at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1acrylate to drug or any other ratio within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprisesa molecular weight of 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000, 10000,g/mol, or any other molecular weight within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting step isperformed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30°C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75°C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C., 115° C.or 120° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting is performedat a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30° C. or 35°C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a catalyst. In some alternatives, thecatalyst is TEMED. In some alternatives, the TEMED is at a 1%, 2%, 3%,4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of TEMED to reaction mixture or anyw/w percent within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is ammoniumpersulfate. In some alternatives, the concentration of ammoniumpersulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10%w/w of ammonium sulfate to reaction mixture or any concentration withina range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the cross-linking is performed in the presence of a UVradiation source. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is alight-activated free radical initiator. In some alternatives, thelight-activated free radical initiator is DMPA. In some alternatives,the DMPA is at a concentration is at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v ofDMPA in the reaction mixture or any concentration within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, thecross-linking is performed in the presence of a UV radiation source forat least at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes orany amount of time within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting step comprisesan addition reaction between the at least one free primary amine groupof at least one drug or the at least one secondary amine group of the atleast one drug with the at least one acrylate. In some alternatives, theat least one free primary amine group or at least one secondary aminegroup is present on a peptide. In some alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9 or 10 drugs are polymerized to the at least one acrylate, therebyproducing at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In somealternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at leastone primary amine group or at least one secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at leasttwo secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the at least oneprimary amine group or the at least one secondary amine groups of the 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 drugs participates in an addition reactionwith the at least one acrylate. In some alternatives, the at least onedrug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutic,anthracycline, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drug, amino acid derivative,aminated benzoic acid derivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic,antiepileptic, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptive, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor,psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the methodfurther comprises providing a second drug, wherein, the second drugcomprises at least one additional free primary amine group, or at leastone additional secondary amine group and/or any combination thereof. Insome alternatives, the second drug comprises at least two additionalsecondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate,and an amine sum total comprising a sum total of the at least primaryand/or secondary amines of the at least one or two drugs are at a molarratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1diacrylate:amine sum total or any other ratio within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the seconddrug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutic,anthracycline, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drug, amino acid derivative,aminated benzoic acid derivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic,antiepileptic, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthriticdrug, contraceptive, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor,psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, ananalgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the reactingstep is performed for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, or any time within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the methodfurther comprises purifying the hydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives,the method further comprises stopping the cross-linking step before thepurification step. In some alternatives, the stopping is performed byadding hydrochloric acid. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises stopping the polymerization action before the purificationstep, wherein, the method is stopped by lowering the temperature to atleast or equal to 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. orany temperature within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues, or any temperature lower than the aforementioned values. Themethod reaction further comprises monitoring the cross-linking step,wherein, the monitoring is performed by obtaining a sample of thereaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture to FTIR. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the second drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing achemical spacer comprising at least one free primary amine group or atleast one secondary amine group, wherein, the chemical spacer is aspacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrug. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer comprises at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is provided at a ratioof the chemical spacer to at least one drug ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1,10:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 orany other ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drug in between anytwo aforementioned ratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least primary amine group of the chemical spacer orat least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer is attached toa carbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprise at leastor equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number ofcarbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprises substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains compriseheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is added to theat least one acrylate prior to reacting the at least one drug with theat least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer, at least one acrylate, and at leastone drug are all reacted simultaneously to form at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the reacting step. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step comprises cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises thepolymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent prior toadding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In some alternatives,the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In some alternatives, thesolvent does not contain a buffer with an amine group such as Tris. Insome alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent. In somealternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the polymer structure terminates withacrylate ends. In some alternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises amolecular weight of at least or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000,30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da orany molecular weight within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises washing the hydrogel prodrug with ethanol or another solventto remove unwanted or unreacted material. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stretching or compressing the hydrogel prodrugto a desired shape. In some alternatives, the cross-linking step isperformed in a mold such that the hydrogel prodrug comprises a finaldesired shape, such as a tablet, a film, a dressing or a scaffold. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is compressed into a film forapplication to a surface area, such as a dressing or shaped into ascaffold or support. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isprocessed into a solid capsule, implant, microparticle or a pill. Insome alternatives, the drug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine,cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a bindingfragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin,procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for at leastor equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80,90 or 100 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugis formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 days or any amount oftime within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for atleast or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. The method can comprise providing at least one drug thatcomprises at least one free primary amine group, at least two secondaryamine group, and/or any combination thereof, providing at least oneacrylate, reacting said at least one acrylate with the at least oneprimary amine group or at least two secondary amine groups of the atleast one drug, thereby producing at least one polymer prodrug, wherein,the reacting comprises a polymerization reaction and cross-linking saidat least one polymer prodrug in the presence of a free radical initiatorin a reaction mixture, thereby making the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, thehydrogel prodrug comprises a backbone structure, wherein, the backbonestructure comprises polymerized polymer prodrug. In some alternatives,the drug comprises at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the method further comprises providing at least oneprimary amine and/or at least one secondary amine. In some alternatives,the at least one acrylate comprises at least one acrylate group. In somealternatives, the at least one acrylate group is bound by an esterlinkage to an opposing termini of a carbon chain, wherein, the carbonchain comprises at least or equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80,90 or 100 carbon atoms, or any number of carbon atoms within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the carbon chain comprises substituted heteroatoms, unsubstitutedheteroatoms, unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, saturated carbon-carbonbonds, branched substitutions, unbranched substitutions and/or cycliccarbon chains. In some alternatives, the cyclic carbon chains comprisesaturated bonds, unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms. In somealternatives, the acrylate comprises two acrylate groups and is adiacrylate. In some alternatives, the diacrylate is poly(ethyleneglycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate(PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). Insome alternatives, the at least one acrylate and the at least one freeprimary amine or at least two secondary amines of the at least one drugare at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1acrylate to drug or any other ratio within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprisesa molecular weight of at least or equal to 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000,2000, 3500, 5000, 10000, g/mol, or any other molecular weight within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the reacting step is performed at a temperature of atleast or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50°C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95°C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C., 115° C. or 120° C. or any temperaturewithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the reacting is performed at a temperature of at least orequal to 20° C., 25° C., 30° C. or 35° C. or any temperature within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the cross-linking is performed in the presence of acatalyst. In some alternatives, the catalyst is TEMED. In somealternatives, the TEMED is at a 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or10% w/w of TEMED to reaction mixture or any w/w percent within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the free radical initiator is ammonium persulfate. In some alternatives,the concentration of ammonium persulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%,4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of ammonium sulfate to reactionmixture or any concentration within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a UV radiation source. In somealternatives, the free radical initiator is a light-activated freeradical initiator. In some alternatives, the light-activated freeradical initiator is DMPA. In some alternatives, the DMPA is at aconcentration is at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v of DMPA in thereaction mixture or any concentration within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a UV radiation source for at least or equalto 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or any amount of time withina range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction betweenthe at least one free primary amine group of at least one drug or the atleast one secondary amine group of the at least one drug with the atleast one acrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one free primaryamine group or at least one secondary amine group is present on apeptide. In some alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs arepolymerized to the at least one acrylate, thereby producing at least 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least one primary amine group orat least one secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary amine groups.In some alternatives, the at least one primary amine group or the atleast one secondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10drugs participates in an addition reaction with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the methodfurther comprises providing a second drug, wherein, the second drugcomprises at least one additional free primary amine group, or at leastone additional secondary amine group and/or any combination thereof. Insome alternatives, the second drug comprises at least two additionalsecondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate,and an amine sum total comprising a sum total of the at least primaryand/or secondary amines of the at least one or two drugs are at a molarratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1diacrylate:amine sum total or any other ratio within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the seconddrug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics,anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acidderivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin,chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof,protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the second drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the reacting step is performed for at leastor equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours,or any time within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the method further comprises purifying thehydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives, the method further comprisesstopping the cross-linking step before the purification step. In somealternatives, the stopping is performed by adding hydrochloric acid. Insome alternatives, the method further comprises stopping thepolymerization action before the purification step, wherein, the methodis stopped by lowering the temperature to at least or equal to 4° C., 5°C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. or any temperature within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values, or anytemperature lower than the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the method reaction further comprises monitoring the cross-linking step,wherein, the monitoring is performed by obtaining a sample of thereaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture to FTIR. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing achemical spacer comprising at least one free primary amine group or atleast one secondary amine group, wherein, the chemical spacer is aspacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrug. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer comprises at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is provided at a ratioof the chemical spacer to at least one drug ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1,10:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 orany other ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drug in between anytwo aforementioned ratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least primary amine group of the chemical spacer orat least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer is attached toa carbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprise at leastor equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number ofcarbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprises substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains compriseheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is added to theat least one acrylate prior to reacting the at least one drug with theat least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer, at least one acrylate, and at leastone drug are all reacted simultaneously to form at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the reacting step. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step comprises cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises thepolymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent prior toadding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In some alternatives,the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In some alternatives, thesolvent does not contain a buffer with an amine group such as Tris. Insome alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent. In somealternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the polymer structure terminates withacrylate ends. In some alternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises amolecular weight of at least or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000,30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da orany molecular weight within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises washing the hydrogel prodrug with ethanol or another solventto remove unwanted or unreacted material. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stretching or compressing the hydrogel prodrugto a desired shape. In some alternatives, the cross-linking step isperformed in a mold such that the hydrogel prodrug comprises a finaldesired shape, such as a tablet, a film, a dressing or a scaffold. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is compressed into a film forapplication to a surface area, such as a dressing or shaped into ascaffold or support. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isprocessed into a solid capsule, implant, microparticle or a pill. Insome alternatives, the drug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine,cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a bindingfragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin,procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 hours or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated torelease for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30,40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 days or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for at least or equal to1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 hour, 2 hours, 4hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hours or 64 hours or any amount of timewithin a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or 128 days, or any number ofdays within a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4months, 8 months, 12 months, or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two aforementioned values. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises providing a targeting moiety and incorporatingor linking the targeting moiety to the at least one polymer prodrug. Insome alternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a ligand on anorgan, tissue or a cell. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a surface protein that is expressed during manifestation ofa disease. In some alternatives, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease,a neurological disease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or acancer antigen. In some alternatives, the tumor is a solid tumor. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for atleast or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80,80, 90 or 100 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by anytwo of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug is formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 days or any amountof time within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values.In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release forat least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months orany amount of time within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, a hydrogel prodrug deliverysystem comprises any one of the hydrogel prodrug manufactured by any oneof the alternatives provided herein.

A Hydrogel Prodrug Delivery System

In some alternatives, a hydrogel prodrug delivery system is provided.The hydrogel prodrug delivery system can comprise the hydrogel prodrugmanufactured by anyone of the alternatives described herein. The methodcan comprise providing at least one drug that comprises at least onefree primary amine group, at least two secondary amine group, and/or anycombination thereof, providing at least one acrylate, reacting said atleast one acrylate with the at least one primary amine group or at leasttwo secondary amine groups of the at least one drug, thereby producingat least one polymer prodrug, wherein, the reacting comprises apolymerization reaction and cross-linking said at least one polymerprodrug in the presence of a free radical initiator in a reactionmixture, thereby making the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a backbone structure, wherein, the backbone structurecomprises polymerized polymer prodrug. In some alternatives, the drugcomprises at least two secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises providing at least one primary amine and/or atleast one secondary amine. In some alternatives, the at least oneacrylate comprises at least one acrylate group. In some alternatives,the at least one acrylate group is bound by an ester linkage to anopposing termini of a carbon chain, wherein, the carbon chain comprisesat least or equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 carbonatoms, or any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the carbon chaincomprises substituted heteroatoms, unsubstituted heteroatoms,unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, saturated carbon-carbon bonds, branchedsubstitutions, unbranched substitutions and/or cyclic carbon chains. Insome alternatives, the cyclic carbon chains comprise saturated bonds,unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms. In some alternatives, the acrylatecomprises two acrylate groups and is a diacrylate. In some alternatives,the diacrylate is poly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA)poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate (PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol)575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) ordiethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). In some alternatives, the at leastone acrylate and the at least one free primary amine or at least twosecondary amines of the at least one drug are at a molar ratio of1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 acrylate to drug or anyother ratio within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprises a molecular weightof at least or equal to 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000,10000, g/mol, or any other molecular weight within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reactingstep is performed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25°C., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70°C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C.,115° C. or 120° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values listed. In some alternatives, the reactingis performed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C.,30° C. or 35° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values listed. In some alternatives, thecross-linking is performed in the presence of a catalyst. In somealternatives, the catalyst is TEMED. In some alternatives, the TEMED isat a 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of TEMED to reactionmixture or any w/w percent within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the free radical initiatoris ammonium persulfate. In some alternatives, the concentration ofammonium persulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%,9% or 10% w/w of ammonium sulfate to reaction mixture or anyconcentration within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the cross-linking is performed in thepresence of a UV radiation source. In some alternatives, the freeradical initiator is a light-activated free radical initiator. In somealternatives, the light-activated free radical initiator is DMPA. Insome alternatives, the DMPA is at a concentration is at 0.2%, 0.4%,0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v of DMPA in the reaction mixture or anyconcentration within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the cross-linking is performed in thepresence of a UV radiation source for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or any amount of time within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, thereacting step comprises an addition reaction between the at least onefree primary amine group of at least one drug or the at least onesecondary amine group of the at least one drug with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one free primary aminegroup or at least one secondary amine group is present on a peptide. Insome alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs are polymerized tothe at least one acrylate, thereby producing at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or10 drugs comprise at least one primary amine group or at least onesecondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the at least one primary amine group or the at least onesecondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 drugsparticipates in an addition reaction with the at least one acrylate. Insome alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acid analogue,amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the methodfurther comprises providing a second drug, wherein, the second drugcomprises at least one additional free primary amine group, or at leastone additional secondary amine group and/or any combination thereof. Insome alternatives, the second drug comprises at least two additionalsecondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate,and an amine sum total comprising a sum total of the at least primaryand/or secondary amines of the at least one or two drugs are at a molarratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1diacrylate:amine sum total or any other ratio within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the seconddrug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics,anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acidderivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin,chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof,protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the reacting step is performed for at least at least orequal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, orany time within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values.In some alternatives, the method further comprises purifying thehydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives, the method further comprisesstopping the cross-linking step before the purification step. In somealternatives, the stopping is performed by adding hydrochloric acid. Insome alternatives, the method further comprises stopping thepolymerization action before the purification step, wherein, the methodis stopped by lowering the temperature to at least or equal to 4° C., 5°C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. or any temperature within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values, or anytemperature lower than the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the method reaction further comprises monitoring the cross-linking step,wherein, the monitoring is performed by obtaining a sample of thereaction mixture and subjecting the reaction mixture to FTIR. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is acyclovir, aprepitant,benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or abinding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing achemical spacer comprising at least one free primary amine group or atleast one secondary amine group, wherein, the chemical spacer is aspacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogel prodrug. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer comprises at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is provided at a ratioof the chemical spacer to at least one drug ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1,10:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 orany other ratio of chemical spacer to at least one drug in between anytwo aforementioned ratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In somealternatives, the at least primary amine group of the chemical spacer orat least one secondary amine group of the chemical spacer is attached toa carbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprise at leastor equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number ofcarbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprises substitutedheterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds,unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, the branched orunbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains compriseheteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer is added to theat least one acrylate prior to reacting the at least one drug with theat least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer, at least one acrylate, and at leastone drug are all reacted simultaneously to form at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the reacting step. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step comprises cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprises thepolymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. In somealternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent prior toadding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In some alternatives,the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In some alternatives, thesolvent does not contain a buffer with an amine group such as Tris. Insome alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent. In somealternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes,methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbontetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates between any two aforementioned numbers. In some alternatives,the polymer structure terminates with acrylate ends. In somealternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises a molecular weight of atleast or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000,60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da or any molecular weightwithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method further comprises washing the hydrogel prodrugwith ethanol or another solvent to remove unwanted or unreactedmaterial. In some alternatives, the method further comprises stretchingor compressing the hydrogel prodrug to a desired shape. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step is performed in a mold such thatthe hydrogel prodrug comprises a final desired shape, such as a tablet,a film, a dressing or a scaffold. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug is compressed into a film for application to a surface area,such as a dressing or shaped into a scaffold or support. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is processed into a solid capsule,implant, microparticle or a pill. In some alternatives, the drug isacyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin,ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine,oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isformulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 hours or any number of timein between any 2 aforementioned values. In some alternatives, thehydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 days orany amount of time within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isformulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11 or 12 months or any amount of time within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. The method can comprise providingat least one drug that comprises at least one free primary amine group,at least two secondary amine group, and/or any combination thereof,providing at least one acrylate, reacting said at least one acrylatewith the at least one primary amine group or at least two secondaryamine groups of the at least one drug, thereby producing at least onepolymer prodrug, wherein, the reacting comprises a polymerizationreaction and cross-linking said at least one polymer prodrug in thepresence of a free radical initiator in a reaction mixture, therebymaking the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises abackbone structure, wherein, the backbone structure comprisespolymerized polymer prodrug. In some alternatives, the drug comprises atleast two secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the methodfurther comprises providing at least one primary amine and/or at leastone secondary amine. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylatecomprises at least one acrylate group. In some alternatives, the atleast one acrylate group is bound by an ester linkage to an opposingtermini of a carbon chain, wherein, the carbon chain comprises at leastor equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 carbon atoms,or any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprisessubstituted heteroatoms, unsubstituted heteroatoms, unsaturatedcarbon-carbon bonds, saturated carbon-carbon bonds, branchedsubstitutions, unbranched substitutions and/or cyclic carbon chains. Insome alternatives, the cyclic carbon chains comprise saturated bonds,unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms. In some alternatives, the acrylatecomprises two acrylate groups and is a diacrylate. In some alternatives,the diacrylate is poly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA)poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate (PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol)575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) ordiethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). In some alternatives, the at leastone acrylate and the at least one free primary amine or at least twosecondary amines of the at least one drug are at a molar ratio of1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 acrylate to drug or anyother ratio within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprises a molecular weightof at least or equal to 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000,10000, g/mol, or any other molecular weight within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reactingstep is performed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25°C., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70°C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C.,115° C. or 120° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values listed. In some alternatives, the reactingis performed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C.,30° C. or 35° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values listed. In some alternatives, thecross-linking is performed in the presence of a catalyst. In somealternatives, the catalyst is TEMED. In some alternatives, the TEMED isat a 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of TEMED to reactionmixture or any w/w percent within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the free radical initiatoris ammonium persulfate. In some alternatives, the concentration ofammonium persulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%,9% or 10% w/w of ammonium sulfate to reaction mixture or anyconcentration within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the cross-linking is performed in thepresence of a UV radiation source. In some alternatives, the freeradical initiator is a light-activated free radical initiator. In somealternatives, the light-activated free radical initiator is DMPA. Insome alternatives, the DMPA is at a concentration is at 0.2%, 0.4%,0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v of DMPA in the reaction mixture or anyconcentration within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the cross-linking is performed in thepresence of a UV radiation source for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or any amount of time within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, thereacting step comprises an addition reaction between the at least onefree primary amine group of at least one drug or the at least onesecondary amine group of the at least one drug with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one free primary aminegroup or at least one secondary amine group is present on a peptide. Insome alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs are polymerized tothe at least one acrylate, thereby producing at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or10 drugs comprise at least one primary amine group or at least onesecondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the at least one primary amine group or the at least onesecondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 drugsparticipates in an addition reaction with the at least one acrylate. Insome alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acid analogue,amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the methodfurther comprises providing a second drug, wherein, the second drugcomprises at least one additional free primary amine group, or at leastone additional secondary amine group and/or any combination thereof. Insome alternatives, the second drug comprises at least two additionalsecondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate,and an amine sum total comprising a sum total of the at least primaryand/or secondary amines of the at least one or two drugs are at a molarratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1diacrylate:amine sum total or any other ratio within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the seconddrug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics,anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acidderivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin,chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof,protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the reacting step is performed for at least or equal to 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, or any timewithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method further comprises purifying the hydrogelprodrug. In some alternatives, the method further comprises stopping thecross-linking step before the purification step. In some alternatives,the stopping is performed by adding hydrochloric acid. In somealternatives, the method further comprises stopping the polymerizationaction before the purification step, wherein, the method is stopped bylowering the temperature to at least or equal to 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7°C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. or any temperature within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values, or any temperature lower than theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method reaction furthercomprises monitoring the cross-linking step, wherein, the monitoring isperformed by obtaining a sample of the reaction mixture and subjectingthe reaction mixture to FTIR. In some alternatives, the at least onedrug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin,gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin,levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamicacid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises providing a chemical spacer comprising at least one freeprimary amine group or at least one secondary amine group, wherein, thechemical spacer is a spacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogelprodrug. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer comprises at leasttwo secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer isprovided at a ratio of the chemical spacer to at least one drug ratio of1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1, 10:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1,90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 or any other ratio of chemical spacer to at leastone drug in between any two aforementioned ratios. In some alternatives,the chemical spacer comprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxylgroup. In some alternatives, the at least primary amine group of thechemical spacer or at least one secondary amine group of the chemicalspacer is attached to a carbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbonchain comprise at least or equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbonatoms or any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the carbon chaincomprises substituted heterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons,saturated carbon bonds, unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbonchains and/or unbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains areunsaturated. In some alternatives, the branched or unbranched cycliccarbon chains comprise heteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemicalspacer is added to the at least one acrylate prior to reacting the atleast one drug with the at least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymerspacer. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer, at least oneacrylate, and at least one drug are all reacted simultaneously to format least one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thereacting step. In some alternatives, the cross-linking step comprisescross-linking said at least one polymer prodrug and at least one polymerspacer in the presence of a free radical initiator in a reactionmixture, thereby making the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a backbone structure, wherein, the backbone structurecomprises the polymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. Insome alternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent priorto adding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In somealternatives, the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In somealternatives, the solvent does not contain a buffer with an amine groupsuch as Tris. In some alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent.In some alternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme,hexanes, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform,carbon tetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates between any two aforementioned numbers. In some alternatives,the polymer structure terminates with acrylate ends. In somealternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises a molecular weight of atleast or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000,60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da or any molecular weightwithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method further comprises washing the hydrogel prodrugwith ethanol or another solvent to remove unwanted or unreactedmaterial. In some alternatives, the method further comprises stretchingor compressing the hydrogel prodrug to a desired shape. In somealternatives, the cross-linking step is performed in a mold such thatthe hydrogel prodrug comprises a final desired shape, such as a tablet,a film, a dressing or a scaffold. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug is compressed into a film for application to a surface area,such as a dressing or shaped into a scaffold or support. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is processed into a solid capsule,implant, microparticle or a pill. In some alternatives, the drug isacyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin,ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine,oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isformulated to release for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50,60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 hours or any number of time within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, thehydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 days orany amount of time within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isformulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11 or 12 months or any amount of time within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives of thesystem, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a peptide. In some alternativesof the system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises at least one drug. In somealternatives of the system, the at least one drug comprises a nucleicacid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist,platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines,γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminatedbenzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives of the system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a second,third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug. Insome alternatives of the system, the second, third, fourth, fifth,sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug is a nucleic acid analogue,amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives of the system,the hydrogel prodrug comprises at least one acrylate. In somealternatives of the system, the at least one acrylate group is bound byan ester linkage to an opposing termini of a carbon chain, wherein, thecarbon chain comprises at least or equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60,70, 80, 90 or 100 carbon atoms, or any number of carbon atoms within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives of the system, the carbon chain comprises substitutedheteroatoms, unsubstituted heteroatoms, unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds,saturated carbon-carbon bonds, branched substitutions, unbranchedsubstitutions and/or cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives of thesystem, the cyclic carbon chains comprise saturated bonds, unsaturatedbonds and/or heteroatoms. In some alternatives of the system, theacrylate comprises at least two acrylate groups and is a diacrylate. Insome alternatives of the system, the diacrylate is poly(ethylene glycol)250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate(PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). Insome alternatives of the system, the acrylate comprises a molecularweight of 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000, 10000, g/mol, orany other molecular weight within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives of the system, the at leastone drug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin,gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin,levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamicacid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives of the system, thehydrogel prodrug further comprises a spacer. In some alternatives of thesystem, the spacer comprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxylgroup. In some alternatives of the system, the spacer comprises a carbonchain. In some alternatives of the system, the carbon chain comprises atleast or equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any numberof carbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives of the system, the carbon chain comprisessubstituted heterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbonbonds, unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives of the system, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In somealternatives of the system, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbonchains are unsaturated. In some alternatives of the system, the branchedor unbranched cyclic carbon chains comprise heteroatoms. In somealternatives of the system, the hydrogel prodrug is a compressed sheet,film, incorporated into a scaffold, support or a dressing. In somealternatives of the system, the hydrogel prodrug is shaped into atablet, an implantable device, microparticle or a pill. In somealternatives of the system, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives of the system, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure, wherein, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecules, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to the vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives of the system, the polymer structure terminates withacrylate ends. In some alternatives of the system, the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure and wherein, the drug iscovalently linked between two acrylates. In some alternatives of thesystem, the spacer is in between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,15, 20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any integerwithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for at leastor equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80,90 or 100 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugis formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 days or any amount oftime within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for atleast or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues.

A Method of Making a Hydrogel Prodrug Composition

In some alternatives, a method of making a hydrogel prodrug compositioncomprising at least two drugs is provided: providing at least one drugthat comprises at least one amine group, providing at least oneacrylate, reacting said at least one acrylate with the at least oneamine group or at least two secondary amine groups of the at least onedrug, thereby producing at least one polymer prodrug, wherein, thereacting comprises a polymerization reaction and cross-linking said atleast one polymer prodrug in the presence of a free radical initiator ina reaction mixture, thereby making the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, thehydrogel prodrug comprises a backbone structure, wherein, the backbonestructure comprises polymerized polymer prodrug. In some alternatives,the at least one amine group is a free primary amine group. In somealternatives, the at least one amine group is a secondary amine groups.In some alternatives, the drug further at least one amine groupcomprises at least two secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, themethod comprises reacting the at least one acrylate with the at leasttwo secondary amine groups of the at least one drug. In somealternatives, the drug comprises at least two secondary amine groups. Insome alternatives, the method further comprises providing at least oneprimary amine and/or at least one secondary amine. In some alternatives,the at least one acrylate comprises at least one acrylate group. In somealternatives, the at least one acrylate group is bound by an esterlinkage to an opposing termini of a carbon chain, wherein, the carbonchain comprises at least or equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80,90 or 100 carbon atoms, or any number of carbon atoms within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the carbon chain comprises substituted heteroatoms, unsubstitutedheteroatoms, unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, saturated carbon-carbonbonds, branched substitutions, unbranched substitutions and/or cycliccarbon chains. In some alternatives, the cyclic carbon chains comprisesaturated bonds, unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms. In somealternatives, the acrylate comprises two acrylate groups and is adiacrylate. In some alternatives, the diacrylate is poly(ethyleneglycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate(PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). Insome alternatives, the at least one acrylate and the at least one freeprimary amine or at least two secondary amines of the at least one drugare at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1acrylate to drug or any other ratio within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprisesa molecular weight of 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000, 2000, 3500, 5000, 10000,g/mol, or any other molecular weight within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting step isperformed at a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30°C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75°C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95° C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C., 115° C.or 120° C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the reacting is performedat a temperature of at least or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30° C. or 35°C. or any temperature within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a catalyst. In some alternatives, thecatalyst is TEMED. In some alternatives, the TEMED is at a 1%, 2%, 3%,4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of TEMED to reaction mixture or anyw/w percent within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is ammoniumpersulfate. In some alternatives, the concentration of ammoniumpersulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10%w/w of ammonium sulfate to reaction mixture or any concentration withina range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the cross-linking is performed in the presence of a UVradiation source. In some alternatives, the free radical initiator is alight-activated free radical initiator. In some alternatives, thelight-activated free radical initiator is DMPA. In some alternatives,the DMPA is at a concentration is at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v ofDMPA in the reaction mixture or any concentration within a range definedby any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, thecross-linking is performed in the presence of a UV radiation source forat least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the reacting step comprises an additionreaction between the at least one free primary amine group of at leastone drug or the at least one secondary amine group of the at least onedrug with the at least one acrylate. In some alternatives, the at leastone free primary amine group or at least one secondary amine group ispresent on a peptide. In some alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10drugs are polymerized to the at least one acrylate, thereby producing atleast 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least one primary aminegroup or at least one secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary aminegroups. In some alternatives, the at least one primary amine group orthe at least one secondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,or 10 drugs participates in an addition reaction with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutic, anthracycline, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drug, amino acid derivative, aminated benzoic acidderivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic, antiepileptic, antiviral,anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug, contraceptive,diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor, psychostimulant, plateletaggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal,pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir,valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine,memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir.In some alternatives, the method further comprises providing a seconddrug, wherein, the second drug comprises at least one additional freeprimary amine group, or at least one additional secondary amine groupand/or any combination thereof. In some alternatives, the second drugcomprises at least two additional secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the at least one acrylate, and an amine sum totalcomprising a sum total of the at least primary and/or secondary aminesof the at least one or two drugs are at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1,1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 diacrylate:amine sum total or anyother ratio within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the second drug is a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutic, anthracycline, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drug, amino acid derivative, aminated benzoic acidderivative, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetic, analgesic, antiepileptic, antiviral,anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug, contraceptive,diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitor, psychostimulant, plateletaggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal,pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir,valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine,memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir.In some alternatives, the reacting step is performed for at least orequal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, orany time within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values.In some alternatives, the method further comprises purifying thehydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives, the method further comprisesstopping the cross-linking step before the purification step. In somealternatives, the stopping is performed by adding hydrochloric acid. Insome alternatives, the method further comprises stopping thepolymerization action before the purification step, wherein, the methodis stopped by lowering the temperature to at least or equal to 4° C., 5°C., 6° C., 7° C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. or any temperature within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values, or anytemperature lower than the aforementioned values. The method reactionfurther comprises monitoring the cross-linking step, wherein, themonitoring is performed by obtaining a sample of the reaction mixtureand subjecting the reaction mixture to FTIR. In some alternatives, theat least one drug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin,doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof,insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir,tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, thesecond drug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin,doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof,insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir,tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises providing a chemical spacer comprising at leastone free primary amine group or at least one secondary amine group,wherein, the chemical spacer is a spacer in the backbone structure ofthe hydrogel prodrug. In some alternatives, the chemical spacercomprises at least two secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, thechemical spacer is provided at a ratio of the chemical spacer to atleast one drug ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1, 10:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1,50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1, 90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 or any other ratio ofchemical spacer to at least one drug in between any two aforementionedratios. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer comprises ahydrophilic group, such as a hydroxyl group. In some alternatives, theat least primary amine group of the chemical spacer or at least onesecondary amine group of the chemical spacer is attached to a carbonchain. In some alternatives, the carbon chain comprise at least or equalto 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any number of carbon atomswithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the carbon chain comprises substituted heterocarbons,unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbon bonds, unsaturated carbonbonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/or unbranched cyclic carbonchains. In some alternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbonchains are saturated. In some alternatives, the branched or unbranchedcyclic carbon chains are unsaturated. In some alternatives, the branchedor unbranched cyclic carbon chains comprise heteroatoms. In somealternatives, the chemical spacer is added to the at least one acrylateprior to reacting the at least one drug with the at least one acrylate,thereby forming a polymer spacer. In some alternatives, the chemicalspacer, at least one acrylate, and at least one drug are all reactedsimultaneously to form at least one polymer prodrug and at least onepolymer spacer in the reacting step. In some alternatives, thecross-linking step comprises cross-linking said at least one polymerprodrug and at least one polymer spacer in the presence of a freeradical initiator in a reaction mixture, thereby making the hydrogelprodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a backbone structure,wherein, the backbone structure comprises the polymerized polymerprodrug and the polymer spacer. In some alternatives, the at least onedrug is dissolved in a solvent prior to adding the at least one drug tothe reacting step. In some alternatives, the solvent is a polar solvent,such as water. In some alternatives, the solvent does not contain abuffer with an amine group such as Tris. In some alternatives, thesolvent is an organic solvent. In some alternatives, the organic solventis THF, diethyl ether, glyme, hexanes, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol,methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dimethylformamide,acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene or toluene. In some alternatives, thehydrogel prodrug comprises a polymer structure, wherein, the polymerstructure is a poly (beta-amino ester) (PBAE). In some alternatives, theprimary amine of the drug is incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of the at least one acrylatemolecule, resulting in a tertiary amine within the polymer backbone, orwherein, two secondary amines of a drug molecule are each incorporatedinto the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinyl group of anacrylate molecule, resulting in two tertiary amines incorporated intothe polymer backbone. In some alternatives, the reacting step comprisesan addition reaction wherein, the at least one free primary amine groupor at least one secondary amine of the drug participate in an additionreaction with two acrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and thehydrogel prodrug comprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug isincorporated into the backbone structure and the at least one polymerprodrug is cross-linked to form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linkingthe terminal acrylate groups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. Insome alternatives, after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbonestructure, the polymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9, 10 15, 20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, orany number of acrylates within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the polymer structureterminates with acrylate ends. In some alternatives, the polymer prodrugcomprises a molecular weight of at least or equal to 1,000, 5,000,10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000or 100,000 Da or any molecular weight within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises washing the hydrogel prodrug with ethanol or another solventto remove unwanted or unreacted material. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stretching or compressing the hydrogel prodrugto a desired shape. In some alternatives, the cross-linking step isperformed in a mold such that the hydrogel prodrug comprises a finaldesired shape, such as a tablet, a film, a dressing or a scaffold. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is compressed into a film forapplication to a surface area, such as a dressing or shaped into ascaffold or support. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isprocessed into a solid capsule, implant, microparticle or a pill. Insome alternatives, the drug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine,cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a bindingfragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin,procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for at leastor equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80,90 or 100 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugis formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 days or any amount oftime within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for atleast or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. The method can comprise providing at least one drug thatcomprises at least one free primary amine group, at least two secondaryamine group, and/or any combination thereof, providing at least oneacrylate, reacting said at least one acrylate with the at least oneprimary amine group or at least two secondary amine groups of the atleast one drug, thereby producing at least one polymer prodrug, wherein,the reacting comprises a polymerization reaction and cross-linking saidat least one polymer prodrug in the presence of a free radical initiatorin a reaction mixture, thereby making the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, thehydrogel prodrug comprises a backbone structure, wherein, the backbonestructure comprises polymerized polymer prodrug. In some alternatives,the drug comprises at least two secondary amine groups. In somealternatives, the method further comprises providing at least oneprimary amine and/or at least one secondary amine. In some alternatives,the at least one acrylate comprises at least one acrylate group. In somealternatives, the at least one acrylate group is bound by an esterlinkage to an opposing termini of a carbon chain, wherein, the carbonchain comprises at least or equal to 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80,90 or 100 carbon atoms, or any number of carbon atoms within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the carbon chain comprises substituted heteroatoms, unsubstitutedheteroatoms, unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds, saturated carbon-carbonbonds, branched substitutions, unbranched substitutions and/or cycliccarbon chains. In some alternatives, the cyclic carbon chains comprisesaturated bonds, unsaturated bonds and/or heteroatoms. In somealternatives, the acrylate comprises two acrylate groups and is adiacrylate. In some alternatives, the diacrylate is poly(ethyleneglycol) 250 diacrylate (PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate(PEG400DA), poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). Insome alternatives, the at least one acrylate and the at least one freeprimary amine or at least two secondary amines of the at least one drugare at a molar ratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1acrylate to drug or any other ratio within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the acrylate comprisesa molecular weight of at least or equal to 170, 250, 575, 700, 1000,2000, 3500, 5000, 10000, g/mol, or any other molecular weight within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the reacting step is performed at a temperature of atleast or equal to 20° C., 25° C., 30° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., 50°C., 55° C., 60° C., 65° C., 70° C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C., 90° C., 95°C., 100° C., 105° C., 110° C., 115° C. or 120° C. or any temperaturewithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the reacting is performed at a temperature of at least orequal to 20° C., 25° C., 30° C. or 35° C. or any temperature within arange defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the cross-linking is performed in the presence of acatalyst. In some alternatives, the catalyst is TEMED. In somealternatives, the TEMED is at a 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or10% w/w of TEMED to reaction mixture or any w/w percent within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the free radical initiator is ammonium persulfate. In some alternatives,the concentration of ammonium persulfate in the reaction is 1%, 2%, 3%,4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% w/w of ammonium sulfate to reactionmixture or any concentration within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a UV radiation source. In somealternatives, the free radical initiator is a light-activated freeradical initiator. In some alternatives, the light-activated freeradical initiator is DMPA. In some alternatives, the DMPA is at aconcentration is at 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% or 1% v/v of DMPA in thereaction mixture or any concentration within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the cross-linking isperformed in the presence of a UV radiation source for at least or equalto 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes or any amount of time withina range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction betweenthe at least one free primary amine group of at least one drug or the atleast one secondary amine group of the at least one drug with the atleast one acrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one free primaryamine group or at least one secondary amine group is present on apeptide. In some alternatives, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs arepolymerized to the at least one acrylate, thereby producing at least 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 prodrugs. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least one primary amine group orat least one secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 drugs comprise at least two secondary amine groups.In some alternatives, the at least one primary amine group or the atleast one secondary amine groups of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10drugs participates in an addition reaction with the at least oneacrylate. In some alternatives, the at least one drug is a nucleic acidanalogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives, the methodfurther comprises providing a second drug, wherein, the second drugcomprises at least one additional free primary amine group, or at leastone additional secondary amine group and/or any combination thereof. Insome alternatives, the second drug comprises at least two additionalsecondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the at least one acrylate,and an amine sum total comprising a sum total of the at least primaryand/or secondary amines of the at least one or two drugs are at a molarratio of 1.05:1, 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1diacrylate:amine sum total or any other ratio within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the seconddrug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1agonist, platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics,anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acidderivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin,chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof,protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives, the reacting step is performed for at least or equal to 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48 or 72 hours, or any timewithin a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the method further comprises purifying the hydrogelprodrug. In some alternatives, the method further comprises stopping thecross-linking step before the purification step. In some alternatives,the stopping is performed by adding hydrochloric acid. In somealternatives, the method further comprises stopping the polymerizationaction before the purification step, wherein, the method is stopped bylowering the temperature to at least or equal to 4° C., 5° C., 6° C., 7°C., 8° C., 9° C. or 10° C. or any temperature within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values, or any temperature lower than theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method reaction furthercomprises monitoring the cross-linking step, wherein, the monitoring isperformed by obtaining a sample of the reaction mixture and subjectingthe reaction mixture to FTIR. In some alternatives, the at least onedrug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin,gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin,levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamicacid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises providing a chemical spacer comprising at least one freeprimary amine group or at least one secondary amine group, wherein, thechemical spacer is a spacer in the backbone structure of the hydrogelprodrug. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer comprises at leasttwo secondary amine groups. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer isprovided at a ratio of the chemical spacer to at least one drug ratio of1:1, 2:1, 5:1, 9:1, 10:1, 20:1, 30:1, 40:1, 50:1, 60:1, 70:1, 80:1,90:1, 99:1 or 100:1 or any other ratio of chemical spacer to at leastone drug in between any two aforementioned ratios. In some alternatives,the chemical spacer comprises a hydrophilic group, such as a hydroxylgroup. In some alternatives, the at least primary amine group of thechemical spacer or at least one secondary amine group of the chemicalspacer is attached to a carbon chain. In some alternatives, the carbonchain comprise at least or equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbonatoms or any number of carbon atoms within a range defined by any two ofthe aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the carbon chaincomprises substituted heterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons,saturated carbon bonds, unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbonchains and/or unbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In somealternatives, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains areunsaturated. In some alternatives, the branched or unbranched cycliccarbon chains comprise heteroatoms. In some alternatives, the chemicalspacer is added to the at least one acrylate prior to reacting the atleast one drug with the at least one acrylate, thereby forming a polymerspacer. In some alternatives, the chemical spacer, at least oneacrylate, and at least one drug are all reacted simultaneously to format least one polymer prodrug and at least one polymer spacer in thereacting step. In some alternatives, the cross-linking step comprisescross-linking said at least one polymer prodrug and at least one polymerspacer in the presence of a free radical initiator in a reactionmixture, thereby making the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogelprodrug comprises a backbone structure, wherein, the backbone structurecomprises the polymerized polymer prodrug and the polymer spacer. Insome alternatives, the at least one drug is dissolved in a solvent priorto adding the at least one drug to the reacting step. In somealternatives, the solvent is a polar solvent, such as water. In somealternatives, the solvent does not contain a buffer with an amine groupsuch as Tris. In some alternatives, the solvent is an organic solvent.In some alternatives, the organic solvent is THF, diethyl ether, glyme,hexanes, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylene chloride, chloroform,carbon tetrachloride, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, DMSO, benzene ortoluene. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a polymerstructure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly (beta-amino ester)(PBAE). In some alternatives, the primary amine of the drug isincorporated into the polymer structure by conjugate addition to a vinylgroup of the at least one acrylate molecule, resulting in a tertiaryamine within the polymer backbone, or wherein, two secondary amines of adrug molecule are each incorporated into the polymer structure byconjugate addition to a vinyl group of an acrylate molecule, resultingin two tertiary amines incorporated into the polymer backbone. In somealternatives, the reacting step comprises an addition reaction wherein,the at least one free primary amine group or at least one secondaryamine of the drug participate in an addition reaction with twoacrylates, resulting in a polymer prodrug, and the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a polymer structure wherein, the drug is incorporated into thebackbone structure and the at least one polymer prodrug is cross-linkedto form a hydrogel prodrug by covalently linking the terminal acrylategroups of separate polymer prodrug molecules. In some alternatives,after each polymer prodrug is bound in the backbone structure, thepolymer spacer is bound between every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15,20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymer structure, or any number ofacrylates within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the polymer structure terminates withacrylate ends. In some alternatives, the polymer prodrug comprises amolecular weight of at least or equal to 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000,30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 or 100,000 Da orany molecular weight within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the method furthercomprises washing the hydrogel prodrug with ethanol or another solventto remove unwanted or unreacted material. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises stretching or compressing the hydrogel prodrugto a desired shape. In some alternatives, the cross-linking step isperformed in a mold such that the hydrogel prodrug comprises a finaldesired shape, such as a tablet, a film, a dressing or a scaffold. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is compressed into a film forapplication to a surface area, such as a dressing or shaped into ascaffold or support. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isprocessed into a solid capsule, implant, microparticle or a pill. Insome alternatives, the drug is acyclovir, aprepitant, benzocaine,cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir, IgG or a bindingfragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin, pregabalin,procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylic acid. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for at leastor equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80,90 or 100 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by any twoof the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrugis formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 days or any amount oftime within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for atleast or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises adegradation time to release drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 16 hours, 32 hours or 64 hours or anyamount of time within a range defined by any two aforementioned values.In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation timeto release drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 day, 2 days, 4days, 8 days, 16 days, 32 days, 64 days or 128 days, or any number ofdays within a range defined by any two aforementioned values. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug comprises a degradation time torelease drugs for a period of at least or equal to 1 month, 2 months, 4months, 8 months, 12 months, or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two aforementioned values. In some alternatives, themethod further comprises providing a targeting moiety and incorporatingor linking the targeting moiety to the at least one polymer prodrug. Insome alternatives, the targeting moiety is specific for a ligand on anorgan, tissue or a cell. In some alternatives, the targeting moiety isspecific for a surface protein that is expressed during manifestation ofa disease. In some alternatives, the disease is cancer, cardiac disease,a neurological disease or a skin disease. In some alternatives, thetargeting moiety is specific for a tumor cell ligand on a tumor or acancer antigen. In some alternatives, the tumor is a solid tumor. Insome alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for atleast or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80,80, 90 or 100 hours or any amount of time within a range defined by anytwo of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug is formulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 days or any amountof time within a range defined by any two of the aforementioned values.In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release forat least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 months orany amount of time within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, a hydrogel prodrug deliverysystem comprises any one of the hydrogel prodrug manufactured by any oneof the alternatives provided herein. In some alternatives of the method,the first or second polymer prodrug comprises a peptide. In somealternatives of the method, the first or second polymer prodrugcomprises at least one drug. In some alternatives of the method, the atleast one drug comprises a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-baseddrug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic,statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portionthereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid,antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics,analgesics, antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives of the method, the first or second polymer prodrugcomprises a second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninthor tenth drug. In some alternatives of the method, the second, third,fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug is a nucleicacid analogue, amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist,platinum-based, amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines,γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminatedbenzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic,antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein,oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic,anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics,antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives of the method, the first or second polymer prodrugcomprises at least one acrylate. In some alternatives of the method, theat least one acrylate is a diacrylate. In some alternatives of themethod, the diacrylate is poly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate(PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate (PEG400DA),poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethylene glycoldiacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). In somealternatives of the method, the at least one drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives of the method, the first or second polymerprodrug further comprises a spacer group. In some alternatives of themethod, the spacer comprises at least primary amine group or at leastone secondary amine group of the chemical spacer is attached to a carbonchain. In some alternatives of the method, the carbon chain comprises atleast or equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any numberof carbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives of the method, the carbon chain comprisessubstituted heterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbonbonds, unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives of the method, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In somealternatives of the method, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbonchains are unsaturated. In some alternatives of the method, the branchedor unbranched cyclic carbon chains comprise heteroatoms. In somealternatives of the method, the first or second polymer prodrugcomprises a polymer structure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly(beta amino ester) (PBAE). In some alternatives of the method, the firstor second polymer prodrug comprises a polymer structure, wherein, thedrug is incorporated into the polymer structure. In some alternatives ofthe method, the polymer structure terminates with acrylate ends. In somealternatives of the method, the drug is incorporated into the polymerstructure, wherein, the drug is covalently linked between two acrylates.In some alternatives of the method, the spacer is in between every 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15, 20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymerstructure, or any integer within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives of the method, the methodfurther comprising providing a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh,eighth, ninth or tenth polymer prodrug and blending the third, fourth,fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth polymer prodrug with thefirst and second hydrogel prodrug during the blending step. In somealternatives a hydrogel prodrug composition is provided, wherein thehydrogel prodrug composition is manufactured by these alternativemethods. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated torelease for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30,40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 hours or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for at least or equal to1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100days or any amount of time within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isformulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11 or 12 months or any amount of time within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values.

Methods of Treatment

In some alternatives, a method of ameliorating or inhibiting cancer,HIV, a virus, pain, a bacterial infection, a neurological disorder,hemorrhaging, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, high blood pressure,Alzheimer's, or inhibiting a fungal growth in a subject in need isprovided. The method can comprise delivering the hydrogel prodrug systemof any one of the alternatives herein, the hydrogel prodrug manufacturedby anyone of the alternatives described herein or the hydrogel prodrugcomposition of anyone of the alternatives described herein. The methodcan comprise providing a first polymer prodrug manufactured by anyone ofthe alternatives described herein, providing a second polymer prodrugmanufactured by anyone of the alternatives described herein, blendingthe first and second polymer prodrugs to form a mixture andcross-linking the first and second polymer prodrugs thereby forming ahydrogel prodrug composition comprising at least two drugs. In somealternatives of the method, the first or second polymer prodrugcomprises a peptide. In some alternatives of the method, the first orsecond polymer prodrug comprises at least one drug. In some alternativesof the method, the at least one drug comprises a nucleic acid analogue,amino ester-based drug, neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based,amine-containing chemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyricacid-derived drugs, amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acidderivatives, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drugconjugate, antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide,polypeptide, hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug,cholesterol regulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics,antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug,contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant,platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug, an analgesic, ananti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine,emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide,lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod,sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In some alternatives of the method,the first or second polymer prodrug comprises a second, third, fourth,fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth drug. In some alternativesof the method, the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth,ninth or tenth drug is a nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug,neurokinin 1 agonist, platinum-based, amine-containingchemotherapeutics, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, antibiotic,statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate, antibody or portionthereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide, hormone, steroid,antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterol regulator, anesthetics,analgesics, antiepileptics, antiviral, anti-erectile dysfunction drug,anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives, diabetes medication, enzymeinhibitors, psychostimulant, platelet aggregation inhibitor, an anti-HIVdrug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal, pregablin, glatiramer acetate,emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, valsartan,hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine, memantine,pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin or darunavir. In somealternatives of the method, the first or second polymer prodrugcomprises at least one acrylate. In some alternatives of the method, theat least one acrylate is a diacrylate. In some alternatives of themethod, the diacrylate is poly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate(PEG250DA) poly(ethylene glycol) 400 diacrylate (PEG400DA),poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate (PEG575DA), triethylene glycoldiacrylate (TEGDA) or diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA). In somealternatives of the method, the at least one drug is acyclovir,aprepitant, benzocaine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, gabapentin, ganciclovir,IgG or a binding fragment thereof, insulin, levothyroxine, oxaliplatin,pregabalin, procaine, tenofovir, tranexamic acid or 5-aminosalicylicacid. In some alternatives of the method, the first or second polymerprodrug further comprises a spacer group. In some alternatives of themethod, the spacer comprises at least primary amine group or at leastone secondary amine group of the chemical spacer is attached to a carbonchain. In some alternatives of the method, the carbon chain comprises atleast or equal to 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 carbon atoms or any numberof carbon atoms within a range defined by any two of the aforementionedvalues. In some alternatives of the method, the carbon chain comprisessubstituted heterocarbons, unsubstituted heterocarbons, saturated carbonbonds, unsaturated carbon bonds, branched cyclic carbon chains and/orunbranched cyclic carbon chains. In some alternatives of the method, thebranched or unbranched cyclic carbon chains are saturated. In somealternatives of the method, the branched or unbranched cyclic carbonchains are unsaturated. In some alternatives of the method, the branchedor unbranched cyclic carbon chains comprise heteroatoms. In somealternatives of the method, the first or second polymer prodrugcomprises a polymer structure, wherein, the polymer structure is a poly(beta amino ester) (PBAE). In some alternatives of the method, the firstor second polymer prodrug comprises a polymer structure, wherein, thedrug is incorporated into the polymer structure. In some alternatives ofthe method, the polymer structure terminates with acrylate ends. In somealternatives of the method, the drug is incorporated into the polymerstructure, wherein, the drug is covalently linked between two acrylates.In some alternatives of the method, the spacer is in between every 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 15, 20, 50, or 100 acrylates of the polymerstructure, or any integer within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives of the method, the methodfurther comprising providing a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh,eighth, ninth or tenth polymer prodrug and blending the third, fourth,fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth polymer prodrug with thefirst and second hydrogel prodrug during the blending step. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug composition is manufactured by thesealternative methods. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug or thehydrogel prodrug composition is a compressed sheet, or incorporated intoa scaffold, support or dressing. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug or the hydrogel prodrug composition is shaped into a capsule, atablet, microparticle or an implantable device. In some alternatives,the hydrogel prodrug or the hydrogel prodrug composition is delivered byapplying the compressed sheet directly to a skin surface. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug or the hydrogel prodrug compositionis applied directly over a wound. In some alternatives, the hydrogelprodrug or the hydrogel prodrug composition is an implantable device,and wherein, the implantable device is placed subcutaneously at a siteof a tumor to provide sustained chemotherapeutic release. In somealternatives, the hydrogel prodrug or the hydrogel prodrug compositionis a microparticle, and wherein, the microparticle is injected into atissue. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug is formulated torelease for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30,40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100 hours or any amount of time within a rangedefined by any two of the aforementioned values. In some alternatives,the hydrogel prodrug is formulated to release for at least or equal to1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 80, 90 or 100days or any amount of time within a range defined by any two of theaforementioned values. In some alternatives, the hydrogel prodrug isformulated to release for at least or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11 or 12 months or any amount of time within a range defined byany two of the aforementioned values.

While various aspects and alternatives have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and alternatives will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and alternatives disclosed herein are for purposesof illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated by the following claims.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that, for this and otherprocesses and methods disclosed herein, the functions performed in theprocesses and methods can be implemented in differing order.Furthermore, the outlined steps and operations are only provided asexamples, and some of the steps and operations can be optional, combinedinto fewer steps and operations, or expanded into additional steps andoperations without detracting from the essence of the disclosedalternatives.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that, for this and otherprocesses and methods disclosed herein, the functions performed in theprocesses and methods can be implemented in differing order.Furthermore, the outlined steps and operations are only provided asexamples, and some of the steps and operations can be optional, combinedinto fewer steps and operations, or expanded into additional steps andoperations without detracting from the essence of the disclosedalternatives.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations can be expressly set forth herein, for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (for example, bodiesof the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (forexample, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including butnot limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having atleast,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but isnot limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those withinthe art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation isintended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and inthe absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example,as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims can containusage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” tointroduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should notbe construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by theindefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containingsuch introduced claim recitation to alternatives containing only onesuch recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductoryphrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as“a” or “an” (for example, “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean“at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (for example,the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, meansat least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, inthose instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B,and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in thesense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (forexample, “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include butnot be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and Ctogether, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a constructionis intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understandthe convention (for example, “a system having at least one of A, B, orC” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, Balone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together,and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood bythose within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrasepresenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description,claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate thepossibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are describedin terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individualmember or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein, also encompass any and all possible sub-rangesand combinations of sub-ranges thereof. Any listed range can be easilyrecognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range beingbroken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein, canbe readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third,etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all languagesuch as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the likeinclude the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequentlybroken down into sub-ranges as discussed above. Finally, as will beunderstood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individualmember. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 articles refers to groupshaving 1, 2, or 3 articles. Similarly, a group having 1-5 articlesrefers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 articles, and so forth.

1. (canceled)
 2. A method of making a hydrogel prodrug in microparticleform, the method comprising: providing at least one drug that comprisesat least one amine group; providing at least one acrylate; reacting saidat least one acrylate with the at least one amine group of the at leastone drug, thereby producing at least one polymer prodrug, wherein, thereacting comprises a polymerization reaction; and joining said at leastone polymer prodrug in the presence of a catalyst in a reaction mixture,thereby making the hydrogel prodrug, wherein, the hydrogel prodrugcomprises a backbone structure, wherein, the backbone structurecomprises polymerized polymer prodrug; and wherein the hydrogel prodrugis in microparticle form.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the catalystis present in an amount from 1-10 wt % of the at least one polymerprodrug.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the catalyst istetramethylethylenediamine.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein thejoining of said at least one polymer prodrug further comprises a freeradical initiator present in an amount from 1-10 wt % of the at leastone polymer prodrug.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the free radicalinitiator is ammonium persulfate or 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone.7. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one acrylate is selectedfrom the group consisting of: methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate,2-chloroethyl vinyl ether, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, hydroxyethylmethacrylate, butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate, and TMPTA.
 8. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the at least one acrylate is a diacrylate. 9.The method of claim 8, wherein the diacrylate is selected from the groupconsisting of: poly(ethylene glycol) 250 diacrylate, poly(ethyleneglycol) 400 diacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol) 575 diacrylate,triethylene glycol diacrylate, and diethylene glycol diacrylate.
 10. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the at least one drug is selected from thegroup consisting of: nucleic acid analogue, amino ester-based drug,neurokinin 1 agonist, anthracyclines, γ-aminobutyric acid-derived drugs,amino acid derivatives, aminated benzoic acid derivatives, alkylatingagent, antibiotic, statin, chemotherapeutic, antibody-drug conjugate,antibody or portion thereof, protein, oligopeptide, polypeptide,hormone, steroid, antipsychotic, anti-Alzheimer drug, cholesterolregulator, anesthetics, analgesics, antiepileptics, antiviral,anti-erectile dysfunction drug, anti-arthritic drug, contraceptives,diabetes medication, enzyme inhibitors, psychostimulant, plateletaggregation inhibitor, an anti-HV drug, an analgesic, an anti-fungal,pregablin, glatiramer acetate, emtricitabine, emtricitabine, tenofovir,valsartan, hydrochloraothiazide, lisdexamfetamine, mesalamine,memantine, pemetrexed, fingolimod, sitagliptin, metformin, anddarunavir.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the antibiotic isselected from the group consisting of: amino acid derivatives,aminoglycosides, aureolic acids, aziridines, benzenoids, benzimidazoles,coumarin-glycosides, diphenyl ether derivatives,epipolythiodioxopiperazines, fatty acid derivatives, glucosamines,glycopeptides, imidazoles, indol derivatives, macrolactams, macrolides,nucleosides, beta-lactams, peptides, peptidyl nucleosides, phenicoles,polyenes, polyethers, pyridines and pyrimidines, quinolones andfluoroquinolones, statins, steroids, sulfonamides, taxoides, andtetracyclines.
 12. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one drugis mesalamine.
 13. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one drugis tranexamic acid.
 14. The method of claim 2, wherein said joining ofsaid at least one polymer prodrug further comprises a free radicalinitiator.
 15. A method of making a hydrogel prodrug in microparticleform, the method comprising: providing at least one drug that comprisesat least one amine group; providing at least one acrylate; reacting saidat least one acrylate with the at least one amine group of the at leastone drug, thereby producing at least one polymer prodrug, wherein, thereacting comprises a polymerization reaction; and joining to a backbonestructure said at least one polymer prodrug in the presence of acatalyst in a reaction mixture, thereby making the hydrogel prodrug,wherein, the hydrogel prodrug comprises the backbone structure, wherein,the backbone structure comprises polymerized polymer prodrug; andwherein the hydrogel prodrug is in microparticle form.